Wheelchair Fencing Day 4 round up

Day 4 at the Wheelchair Fencing sees the Team Epee competition return to Paralympics for women. The team events in fencing can be very exciting for competitors and spectators alike. The format is based on 3 fencers forming a team for each qualifying nation, a minimum of 1 category B fencer must be included in each team line up. Each fencer competes against each other over 9 matches, each match first to 5 points and the team reaching 45 overall first wins and progresses through to the next round.

Once again the knowledgeable crowd at the ExCeL arena made the biggest noise for Team GB which includes one of the youngest Paralympians in Gabby Down, competing at her first games at the tender age of 14 years old. Although the GB team failed to win a match they competed with passion and heart and made a good account of themselves.

The most labour intensive job at the games has been for the referees who have to be on top of their game and ensure that the rules are upheld and fair decisions are made. Each match requires a Referee, a Video Referee, and two Assistants who watch to make sure the athletes do not get an advantage by lifting out of the wheelchair seat – we affectionately refer to theses Assistants as ‘Bum Judges’!

Results

Womens Epee Team

Gold Medal  – China

Silver Medal – Hungary

Bronze Medal – Hong Kong