Canadian Fencing Federation – Rio-qualified men’s epee fencer, Maxime Brinck-Croteau made a trip to the podium today at the 2016 Pan Am Fencing Championships in Panama. 

Brinck-Croteau took home bronze in men’s epee after winning four straight elimination bouts.   He had 3 wins and 3 losses in poules and then advanced to win his 64 bout against hometown athlete Arturo Dorati Ameglio of Panama, winning 15-8. He then defeated Gustavo Coqueco from Columbia 15-10 in the 32’s to advance to the 16’s where he faced fellow Canadian Jean Lelion (Montreal, QC).  It was a tough battle with Brinck-Croteau winning in overtime and ending Lelion’s day tied for 12^th place.

Brinck-Croteau then advanced to the quarter-finals and faced Paris Budinich from Chili.  It was another very close match with Brinck-Croteau once again coming out on top, 10-9.  His winning streak ended in the semi-finals with a loss to USA’s Jason Pryor by a score of 15-7, thereby finishing the competition with a bronze medal. 

This is Brinck-Croteau’s second consecutive individual medal at this competition. He won silver at the 2015 Pan Am Fencing Championships, which was the first Olympic Qualification event for Rio.

Also competing in men’s epee were Pascal Heidecker (Gatineau, QC) who finished in 21^st place and Hugues Boisvert-Simard (Quebec, QC) who was 26^th overall.

Women’s Sabre athletes were also in action today and top Canadian was Gabriella Page (Blainville, QC) who finished just off the podium in 5^th place.  Page started off very strong, winning all five of her poule bouts and then defeated Adriana Ibanex Villalba from Colombia 15-4 in the 32’s. 

Her round of 16 bout against Patricia Contreras from Brazil was more challenging, but she won 15-14 which advanced her to the quarter-finals.  Page then faced Maria Perez Maurice from Argentina and lost a heartbreaker 15-13, which gave her 5^th place overall for the event.

Marissa Ponich (Edmonton, AB), Pamela Brind’Amour (Blainville, QC) and junior-aged athlete Rachel Lamarre (Blainville, QC) finished consecutively in 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th place overall.

Individual competition continues tomorrow with Men’s Sabre and Women’s Foil taking the stage.  For photos and updates, please visit the CFF’s Facebook page and results can be found at: http://fencingmex.com/public_html/index.htm

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Canadian Fencing Federation