Last month, I wrote about how you should try fencing. Now, I am going to tell you about my fencing club, German Fencing Academy. I’ll also share my experience of winning a tournament!

My older brother recently interviewed my academy’s coach, Jens Stephan. He was born in Germany, where he was introduced to fencing by a friend. He started GFA in Tucson because there were not many fencing clubs in Arizona. When he started the club, he started small at the Oro Valley Rec Center. Now, the GFA is at the Tucson Mall.

GFA teaches everyone from 7-year-olds to adults! Even though the club is full right now, Coach Jens still wants the kids to get interested in fencing. He wants to expand the club by making fencing available at the University of Arizona and Tucson high schools. This summer he is hoping to host a summer camp along with a U.S. Olympic Coach!

Now I’d like to share a little about my fencing tournament! When I first came in for the tournament, I felt pretty nervous because it was my first tournament. The age groups at the tournament were 8,10 and 12. I competed in the 8 and 10 age groups in épée and foil. I got first place in épée for the Y8 age group and first place in foil for the Y10 age groups!

Even though I was nervous, I was confident enough to win the tournament. I felt good because I trusted in myself to win! I want to compete again because it is fun and exciting to fence with other people!