Fast-moving fencing open right on target

Grace Thomson, of Dunedin, (left) lunges at Dylan Thomson, of Christchurch, during the South Open 2025 on Saturday. PHOTO: SAM HENDERSON

A dozen fencers from Christchurch and Dunedin took part in the South Open 2025 at Claymore Swords Club in Bond St.

Fencing South tournament organiser Sam Parish said the athletes competed in foil on Saturday and epee on Sunday.

Athletes in the foil event wear an electrified metallic lame vest that marks the valid target area, but not the arms, head or legs.

Each fencer is connected to the scoring box by a body cord through a retractable reel.

A touch is scored only when the foil’s tip depresses against the opponent’s vest, closing the circuit and lighting a coloured lamp on the scoring box.

"So essentially, if you hit on that, it makes a connection that allows the light to go on."

If there is a hit outside the target area a yellow light will come on, recording a hit but not a point because it is not on target.

The rounds were up to five points or three minutes, whichever came first.

"So you can get to, say, three minutes and the score might be like 2-1 at which point, the person who has got two wins that bout.

The highest scoring athletes from an initial pool stage then face off, narrowing down to the final winners.

As well as organising the competition, Parish took part in the Saturday mixed foil event, coming away with gold.

Jared Howlett, of Dunedin, gained silver and Mei Admirall, of Dunedin and Jacob Takuira-Mita, of Christchurch, shared bronze in third place.

Next on the national calendar is the Fencing New Zealand Oceania, NZ National Open and NZ Veteran Championships, to be held in Auckland over Labour Weekend.

Later, Fencing South will host the Presidents Cup at Otago Girls’ High School on the last weekend in November.