Garwood Fencing Club Ranked Number 1 in U.S. and Named Fencing Club of the Year

Garwood, NJ, September 8, 2016 … The 2016 Rio Olympics might be over, but preparation for Tokyo 2020 continues. The United States fencing team is back from Rio following a tremendous performance that earned them four medals. With the next games in sight, Olympic hopefuls train throughout the country, including at Advance Fencing & Fitness Academy (AFFA) in Garwood.

In just three years since opening its doors, AFFA has quickly earned a quality industry reputation. This summer, AFFA was ranked the number one club in Junior Women’s Saber podium finishes in the United States according to the National Fencing Club Rankings, surpassing its previous season ranking of fourth. AFFA also earned a number one New Jersey ranking for this same Junior category, which is an under age 20 category and the stepping-stone to the Senior/Olympic Team.

This past season, AFFA athletes received both national and international honors and the club saw its first U.S. National Team member in both the Cadet (under age 17) and Junior categories. AFFA athletes earned three World Cup medals, a Pan American Team championship, a Bronze medal at the Junior World Championships in Bourges, France with Team USA, and a Bronze at the U.S. Olympic trials. In addition to serving as a gauge for Olympic team readiness, success in the junior event aids in college acceptances and scholarships. AFFA athletes have received full scholarship offers from the top universities, including Columbia (2x defending NCAA champions), Penn State (winningest collegiate program), and Harvard.

AFFA has attracted fencers from all over the tri-state area, with many driving considerable distances for training. The club has welcomed athletes from Poland, France, Germany and Belarus for training and recently trained a Japanese Senior National Team member preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

With a state-of-the-art facility and notable champion coaches, AFFA delivers world-class, personalized training to empower and create opportunities for all ages and skill levels. AFFA is now taking enrollment for the new school year and is happy to announce the start of its adult classes. For additional information about AFFA, its classes or how to get started in fencing, please visit www.affafencing.com or call (908) 290-5055.