2007 British National Fencing Championships

This year’s Championships were held for the first time in the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. All seemed to agree that it was an excellent venue, with a particularly impressive Finals Hall.

Leon Paul transported 20 tons of equipment, including 21 sectional aluminium pistes and 6 roll-out conductive pistes, through the torrential rain and difficult road conditions on Friday, and the Armourers worked until late on Friday evening to make sure that everything was perfect for an early start on Saturday. There were a total of 54 pistes. 

It was another good year for the Leon Paul Team, with 4 of the 6 individual Championships being won by LP sponsored fencers. Leon Paul sponsored fencers Richard Kruse and Laurence Halsted, both of Salle Paul, provided a lively Men’s Foil Final, with Richard taking the title.

Leon Paul sponsored fencers Jon Willis and Tom Bennett were the finalists at Men’s Epee. Following his stupendous victory at Heidenheim, Jon was determined to be British Champion this year, and so it proved.

Chris Buxton defeated Alex O’Connell to become Men’s Sabre Champion. At Women’s Foil Anna Bentley defeated Martina Emanuel to become Champion. Leon Paul sponsored fencer Mary Cohen fenced beautifully against Jo Maynard to take the Women’s Epee title. Leon Paul sponsored fencer Jo Hutchison won the Women’s Sabre.

Thanks to Rob Kirby for providing the pictures.