Luke Mason Battles to Cadet Bronze in Finland

Luke Mason won a bronze medal at the Espoo Cadet Men’s Epee in Finland at the weekend.  He won all of his first round fights which meant he was ranked sixth for the direct elimination stage.  Victories over teammates Edward Scott Payne, 15-10 and Joshua Willcox, 15-14 saw him progress to the round of sixteen.

Mason went into the event ranked 277^th in the World but it was a good day for some of the lower ranked fencers.  He faced Italy’s World number 255, Andrea Alno for a place in the quarterfinals and won that fight 15-11.  His next opponent was World number 199 from the USA, Ethan Kushnerik and he edged a tight fight 15-14 to confirm a place on the podium.  Another American and World number 85, Isaac Herbst was too strong in the semi-finals and Mason went out 15-4.

Speaking about his medal winning performance, Mason said, “I’m pretty chuffed but quite tired.  I fenced well through the poule fights and the DEs but came unstuck in the semi-final.  We’re feeling confident for the team event.”

Herbst went on to win the event, beating teammate, Alan Temiryaev in the final as Mason shared the bronze medal place with a third American, Jonas Hansen.

View the complete results here.