Potomac and Bethesda Fencers Win Team Silver and Bronze at Vet Worlds
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Potomac and Bethesda Fencers Win Team Silver and Bronze at Vet Worlds
(Manama, Bahrain, Nov. 17, 2025) – Today, two fencers from Bethesda and Potomac, Md. earned team silver and bronze for Team USA at the 24th Veteran Fencing World Championships, held November 12-20 in Manama, Bahrain. “Vet Worlds” brings together nearly 800 of world’s best veteran fencers – age 40 and above – to compete in epee, sabre, and foil in both individual and team events. Valerie Asher and Kristin Foellmer both train with Head Coach Janusz Smolenski at DC Fencers Club in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Kristin Foellmer, 50 of Potomac, Md., was a key Team USA player in today’s nailbiter finals bout against Great Britain in the Vet Women’s Epee Team (for athletes in the 40s and 50s age groups). GBR won in overtime by one point (36-35). On Saturday, Foellmer took the World Champion title in the Vet 50 Women’s Epee individual event. This is Foellmer’s debut as a Team USA fencer at Vet Worlds. Before her Vet career, she represented the United States at World Championships and on the World Cup circuit.
Valerie Asher 64, of Bethesda, Md. closed out a definitive bronze medal team win today against Team Finland (45-32) for the Grand Vet Women’s Epee Team event (for athletes in the 60s and 70s divisions). On Saturday, Asher placed 14 in the individual Vet 60 Women’s Epee event. Asher is the 2025 Vet 60 Women’s Epee U.S. National Champion, and a 12-time member of the Vet World Team.
With only a few days of competition remaining, Team USA is at the top of the Vet Worlds leaderboard with 19 medals, including five gold, three silver, and 11 bronze medals.
Veteran fencing (for ages 40+ to 70+) is a growing category that offers mature athletes an opportunity for serious competition in a sport that rewards mental acuity as much as physical agility. Since 2017, the US Fencing Association has also hosted Vet 80 exhibition events.
Modern sport fencing offers individual and team competition in three weapons: foil, epee, and sabre. In epee, the entire body is the target. In the team event, squads of three fencers compete in a relay match where every fencer competes against every other fencer in a series of nine bouts. The first team to score 45 points (or the team leading when time expires) is the winner.
About DC Fencers Club
For more than 30 years, DC Fencers Club (DCFC) in Silver Spring, Md. 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. For more information on classes, camps, and lessons, visit us at www.dcfencing.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
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