DC teen wins individual gold and team bronze at Helsinki Cadet Fencing World Cup
Isaac Shelanski, second from left, wins gold in Cadet Men’s Epee at the Helsinki Fencing Challenge. Photo courtesy of EFC.
For Immediate Release
February 3, 2015
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DC teen wins individual gold and team bronze at Helsinki Cadet Fencing World Cup
First international medals for Washington teen fencer
(Silver Spring, MD) – Isaac Shelanski, 16, of Washington, DC, won gold — his first international medal – in Cadet (under 17) Men’s Epee at the Helsinki Fencing Challenge in Finland on January 31. The next day, Shelanski helped Team USA win bronze in the Cadet Team Men’s Epee event. With this gold, Shelanski earned the number 16 Cadet Men’s Epee ranking in the world. Shelanski, a junior at Washington International School, trains at DC Fencers Club with Head Coach Janusz Smolenski.
In the individual event finals, Shelanski defeated Andzhei Gedzo of Estonia 15-14 in a close gold medal bout.
Shelanski (left) lands a touch on Gedzo of Estonia in the gold medal bout at the Helsinki Fencing Challenge. Photo courtesy of EFC.
“ It was very tactical and it was a gritty bout,” said Shelanski of the gold medal bout. “I knew I could outfence [Gedzo] as long as I had confidence in my actions, and I was able to take a risk at the end without being too nervous.”
[pullquote align=”left|center|right” textalign=”left|center|right” width=”30%”]“ It was very tactical and it was a gritty bout,” said Shelanski of the gold medal bout. “I knew I could outfence [Gedzo] as long as I had confidence in my actions, and I was able to take a risk at the end without being too nervous.”[/pullquote]
Some of Shelanski’s top results include:
- Gold, Cadet Men’s Epee; Bronze, Team Cadet Men’s Epee, Helsinki Fencing Challenge (Jan 31-Feb 1, 2015)
- Sixth place, Division 1A Senior Men’s Epee, Kickoff Classic ROC (September 2014)
- Fifth place, Cadet Men’s Epee, USA Fencing Summer National Championships (July 2014)
- Gold, Y14 Men’s Epee, 2013 USA Fencing Summer National Championships (July 2013)
Summer Fencing Camps at DCFC
Each generation of fencing champions starts in a beginner fencing class. This July and August, DC Fencers Club offers seven weeklong day camps in which youth ages 7-16 can learn the Olympic sport of fencing. Fencing camp activities include games, footwork, fencing technique & tactics, group lessons, fencing videos, competition, training with nationally ranked fencers, and of course, new friendships.
DC Fencers Club camps take place July 6-10; July 13-17; July 20-24; July 27-31; August 3-7; August 10-14; and August 17-21, 2015. All sessions run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; before and aftercare is available. Camps are open to beginner through advanced fencers, and equipment and uniforms are provided. The price per session is $330 per weekly session, and students are welcome to take more than one session. Students should bring a water bottle and dress to move. Fencing camps take place at DC Fencers Club, a dedicated fencing facility located minutes from the Beltway in Silver Spring, MD. To register, visit the Camps page of DC Fencers Club at www.dcfencing.com, call 301-562-1990 or email .
About DC Fencers Club
DC Fencers Club (DCFC) is the premiere fencing club in the Washington, DC area. For 25 years, DCFC has consistently produced national and international champions. We polish the skills of fencers who strive to compete at the highest level, and we encourage fencers of all ages and ability levels. DCFC offers instruction through classes, camps, workshops, and individual lessons. DCFC coaches have a combined 100 years of training, competition, and teaching experience, and they include credentialed fencing masters and National Champions. DC Fencers Club promotes excellence, sportsmanship, and safety in a friendly environment. Find out more at www.dcfencing.com.
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