The association recently organised the eighth edition of the national championships held over an action packed weekend at the Mtarfa gymnasium.

This year the events also featured the youngest three groups of fencers hailing from the Engarde and St. Paul Fencing clubs.

The norm in previous seasons was that fencers under 12 years of age would participate solely in club level competitions in preparation for the national ranking tournaments.

The Council of the N.F.A.M. this year took the decision to hold the nationals across the whole range of age categories which favoured the introduction of a ranking classification for the younger fencers.

Ranking points obtained would be carried forward even when the cadets cross over to an older age category and are subject to the same rules of national team selection as are the senior fencers.

The fencing cadets are mainly concentrating on the foil while the seniors participate in foil as well as epee.

There are three fencing ‘weapons’ – the foil, epee and sabre. This last weapon is not practised locally in order to allow the clubs and national association to concentrate resources on the other two weapons.

During the national championships the fencing bouts were all presided by two Sicilian referees accredited to the Federazione Italiana Scherma (F.I.S.). The allocation of Italian referees for national ranking competitions in Malta was made possible under the terms of the protocol signed between the two associations in 2004.

This year the F.I.S. also loaned scoring equipment which had been adjusted to the new rules for foil fencing introduced by the Federation Internationale D’Escrime (F.I.E. – the world governing body).

In the cadet events Cain Arpa, Danika Formosa, Paul Borg and Kurt Mifsud took Gold in the U10, U13 (Girls), U13 (Boys) and U16 categories respectively.

In the senior events Norman Martinez made it a double once again by winning both the Men’s Epee and Men’s Foil events. Young Pierre Bianchi, fresh out of a successful participation at the World Championships (Austria 2005) lost 15-9 to Martinez in the finals and claimed a very valid silver placing. Antoine Bonello and Kurt Galea shared a joint third placing. In Men’s Epee Marcus Muscat Baron eliminated Juan Formosa to proceed to a top quality final against Martinez. Muscat Baron succumbed 15-11 to Martinez who claimed his second gold and national champion title for the weekend. Juan Formosa and Kenneth Spiteri had to content themselves with a bronze placing.

In the Ladies Foil, Susan Ronald claimed the national title after beating Mary-Jo Scicluna 15-9 in the final. Bronze placings went to Mary Abela and Rebecca Thomas.

The tables were turned in the ladies epee events with Rebecca Thomas taking gold in a hard fought final against Ronald (15-14). Maria Abela and Jessica-Ann Spiteri were joint third.

Owing to the rules of the N.F.A.M. which permit expatriates permanently resident in Malta to participate in national championships the Epee Champion title went to Ronald in lieu of Thomas.

The President of the N.F.A.M, thanked all the participants, the Sicilian referees, Kenneth Spiteri (General Secretary), Nicky Bianchi (Sports Director) and Alex Micallef (Treasurer) for the ample help which they provided to make the nationals a success.

A special thanks was given to Danika Formosa who dedicated Friday evening in helping to set out the scoring equipment prior to the weekend.

The local fencing community is now looking forward to the ‘Malta Open’ fencing tournament to be held at the end of this month. This event, organised by the St Paul Fencing Club, has again attracted foreign participation.

Results

Category under 10 (mixed Boys/Girls): 1st Cain Arpa (SPFC), 2nd Martina Formosa (SPFC), 3rd Maria Paola Micallef (EGFC), David Trapnell (SPFC).

Category under 13 (Boys): 1st Paul Borg (SPFC), 2nd Anton Saliba (SPFC), 3rd Sami Chenbout (SPFC), Daryl Pisani (EGFC).

Category under 13 (Girls): 1st Danika Formosa, 2nd Sarah Grech (EGFC), 3rd Ruth Micallef, J.A. Vella (EGFC).

Category under 16 (Mixed Boys/Girls): 1st Kurt Mifsud (SPFC), 2nd Andre Zahra (SPFC), 3rd James Grech (EGFC), Mathew Saliba (SPFC).

Category Senior Mens Foil: 1st Norman Martinez (SPFC), 2nd Pierre Bianchi (SPFC), 3rd Antoine Bonello, Kurt Galea (EGFC).

Category Senior Men’s Epee: 1st Norman Martinez (SPFC), 2nd Marcus Muscat Baron (SPFC), 3rd Juan Formosa (SPFC), Kenneth Spiteri (EGFC).

Category Senior Ladies Foil: 1st Susan Ronald (SPFC), Marie-Jo Scicluna (EGFC), 3rd Mary Abela (EGFC), Thomas Rebecca (SPFC).

Category Senior Ladies Epee: 1st Rebecca Thomas (SPFC), 2nd Susan Ronald (SPFC), 3rd Mary Abela (EGFC), Jessica-Ann Vella (EGFC). National Champion: Susan Ronald