DCFC Fencers Represent Team USA at Vet World Championships
October 15, 2017
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Washington, D.C. – Two DC Fencers Club members have qualified to represent Team USA at the 21st Veteran Fencing World Championships which takes place on October 15-21 in Maribor, Slovenia. “Vet Worlds” is the premiere fencing event for fencers over age 50 and is conducted by the International Fencing Federation (FIE). Stateside fans can cheer on Team USA Vets with live results on the official Vet Worlds website.
Valerie Asher of Bethesda, MD is the number two ranked U.S. fencer in the Veteran Women’s Epee 50-59 catetgory. She earned her fifth trip to Vet Worlds based on her best two out of three results from the 2016-2017 season, including a gold at the April North American Cup and silver at the July 2017 Summer National Championships. By day, Asher is a physician specializing in Otolaryngology in Silver Spring, MD.
Asher’s goal for Vet Worlds? “Bring home a medal — and support the other members of Team USA.” Asher took bronze at the 2012 Vet Worlds in Krems, Austria, and placed eighth at her Vet Worlds debut in 2011 in Porec, Croatia.
Kazimieras “Kaz” Campe (Edgewater, MD) made history when he became the first American fencer to win a gold medal at a World Championship, when he earned the championship title in Men’s 60+ epee at the 1998 Veteran Worlds in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. He earned bronze medals at two other Vet Worlds. Campe earned a spot at the 2017 Vet Worlds, with results including bronze in the Vet 70 Men’s Epee event at the December 2016 North American Cup, and bronze at the 2017 USA Fencing Summer National Champonships. A retired nuclear engineer, this will be Campe’s 15th time at Veteran Worlds.
Kaz turned 80 shortly before he took bronze in the Vet 70-79, the most senior age category for international competitive fencing. As more veteran fencers continue to compete, the US Fencing Association has responded with a Vet 80 exhibition event in epee and foil to take place at the December 2017 North American Cup in Portland, Oregon.
Veteran fencers (from 40 to 70+) represent a powerful and growing category of competition. Almost 860 veteran fencers competed in 84 veteran events in national tournaments in the 2016-2017 season. DC Fencers Club is the #1 ranked club nationwide for the number of veteran fencers who took top eight spots at national events in the 2016-2017 competitive season.
About DC Fencers Club
Whether you are an elite fencer or a recreational fencer, DCFC welcomes you. For 27 years, DC Fencers Club (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. We offer 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. Learn more at www.dcfencing.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.