The Y10 epee Gold Medal Bout was tough. The competitor was a fencer Noah had seen earlier in the year--he has clearly improved since last time. The first encounter was fought to a 2-2 tie in regulation. Noah lost the coin toss, so he had one more minute to either get a touch on his opponent or lose. Fortunately, Noah scored just in time, winning the first encounter. The second encounter was even more tense. Noah lost the first touch, but by the end of regulation, the score was tied again, 3-3 this time. Noah again lost the coin toss, and again came through with a touch when the pressure was on. Noah wins Y10 epee Gold, 3-2, 4-3.
The Y10 foil event began immediately after the epee event ended. There were only two competitors, but competition for the gold was fierce. Noah won the first DE encounter 5-2, but started out behind (0-2) in the second encounter--a deficit he was not able to erase. The third and deciding bout was another nail-biter. Noah lost the first two touches, but came up with three touches before time expired to win the bout. Noah wins Y10 foil Gold, 5-2, 3-5, 3-2.
There were many more competitors in the Y12 epee event which followed. Noah was looking a bit sluggish in his pool bouts---he lost three of his four bouts to earn the number seven seed in the DE tableau. He did earn a first-round bye, but he had to win at least one DE bout to make it into the medal rounds. His first DE bout was against the number two seed, one of the top youth epee fencers in Tampa. Noah was a bit worried.
The first encounter began with a double touch, but quickly got out of hand as the older girl added two more touches in short order. Another double touch, and one more touch on Noah, and Noah drops the first encounter 5-2. The second encounter was a clinic on double touches. Four successive double touches brought the score to 4-4. There were even more double touches before time expired. This time, Noah won the coin toss so he had one minute to avoid being touched (or to score himself) to win the encounter and avoid elimination. Great defense, and a quick counterattack on the arm won the bout for Noah. Noah stays alive and moves on to the semifinal round.
Noah's next elimination bout was against one of his friends from another club--the number three seed in this event. It was another hard-fought duel. Noah squeaked by with a 5-4 win in the first encounter, but lost the second encounter 3-5. In the final encounter Noah scored first, forced a couple of double touches, but then gave up a touch to tie the score. After some more intense fighting, time ran out to force another minute of priority fencing. Noah won the coin toss, and was finally able to sneak in a touch to win. On to the gold medal bout!
The gold medal bout was rather quick. Noah's competitor had a great run to make it to the final, but was out of steam. Noah wins Y12 epee Gold, 5-1, 5-1.
Three gold medals in one day. A repeat of the results in the October Tampa Youth Tournament. Noah commented that today's fencing was much more rewarding. Many of the fencers he faced today had improved considerably and proved to be formidable challengers on the piste.
What a day!! Y12 foil tomorrow.
