Fighting Fit’s Campbell Medals in France whilst Truro’s Maxwell continues to impress in Germany

It was a fabulous weekend for Yasmin Campbell, 14, who took the bronze medal at the Cadet Foil event in Cabries, France at the weekend.  In a field of 148 fencers, she dropped one fight in the poule stage, which left her ranked twenty-first for the direct elimination.

She went on to beat Mimette (FRA) 15-4, Minyaeva (RUS) 15-13, Vitale (ITA) 15-6 and Baronnet (FRA) 15-7 to make the quarterfinal.  There she face Tsybirova (RUS) who she had the measure of from the start, winning comfortably 15-4.  She met Barbotti (ITA) in her semi-final and it was the Italian who started strongly, taking a 10-5 lead into the break.  Campbell clearly listened to her coach’s advice and leveled the score at 10-10.  The two fencers traded the next six hits but it was Barbotti who went on to fight for gold, winning 15-13.

Her coach, Ludo Sotto was delighted and said; “The development program we at Fighting Fit have planned for Yasmin this season predicted top 32 finishes, so making a top four is really a bonus and shows how hard she has worked this year”. 

After getting over the disappointment of losing in the semi-final, Yasmin added; “As soon I reached the round of 32 I felt confident, relaxed and knew I could get a medal.  So I just put my head down and focused on one point at a time.  I know I need to work on some technical issues but I plan to win a gold in a European event before I finish in cadets in two years time.”

At just 14 years old Yasmin’s performance is incredibly impressive.

GB individual girls results:  Campbell 3^rd & Beardmore 140^th.

GB individual boys results:  Finch 21^st, Kiss 30^th,De Almeida 48^th, Pallier 58^th, Bird 71^st, Archer 83^rd, Nicholas 86^th, Page 103^rd, Abrahams 156^th, Jones 164^th, Deering 168^th, Bates 170^th, Woolley 171^st & Phillips-Langley 188^th.

Elsewhere, it was Truro Fencing Club’s Caitlin Maxwell who continued her impressive run of form to finish sixth at the Junior Sabre event in Dormagen, Germany.  She stormed through her first round poule, dropping just fourteen hits, which left her ranked seventh for the direct elimination.  A bye through the round of 128 was followed by victories over Betegon (SPN) 15-11, Kelecsenyi (HUN) 15-12 from 11-8 behind and Kochetova (RUS) 15-14 from 12-7 behind to make the quarterfinals.  There she faced Palczynska (POL) and was 8-4 down at the break.  The Polish fencer was too strong and went on to win 15-9.  At just 15 years old, this is a truly excellent result for Maxwell who clearly has a bright future in the sport.

Speaking about her performance, Caitlin said; “It was a hard competition and I had some really close matches.  I was behind a few times but managed to keep my head and change my tactics each time.  It was really good to be in the top eight but I didn’t think I fenced at my best consistently enough.  So my next goal is to be more consistent and win a medal at an Under 20 World Cup”.

Truro Head Coach Jon Salfield, who has coached Caitlin since she first picked up a sabre aged 9, added; “This is a significant step forward for Caitlin.  She has already produced excellent results on the European Cadet circuit and in only her third serious Junior international has demonstrated that she is ready to step up to U20 level.  Caitlin is one of the hardest working and most committed athletes I coach and she thoroughly deserves this great result.”

GB individual girls results:  Maxwell 6^th, Corby 72^nd, Daykin 82^nd, Chart 107^th, Beddoe 110^th, Gladdish 121^st & Turnbull 139^th.

GB individual boys results:  Deary 38^th, Van Hoffelen 43^rd, Webb 68^th, Gander-Compton 77^th, Rogerson 79^th, Amsalem 80^th, Williams 119^th, Cooper 127^th & Burton 132^nd.