Manny Sanchez, a junior at MacArthur High School in NEISD, has emerged as a rising star in the sport of fencing, showcasing exceptional talent and skill. With his remarkable abilities, Manny has earned a spot to compete in the highly prestigious 2023 Fencing Junior Olympics, a testament to his dedication and hard work in honing his craft. Manny’s remarkable progress places him among the top fencers in the country, and he is poised to make a significant impact in this highly competitive event.
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Manny is the only fencer in the Junior Olympics who has qualified in two fencing weapons, the epee and foil. “I’ve been fencing since third grade,” said Manny. “When I was younger, I was always playing with foam swords. So, my mom was proactive and found a fencing club.” His ultimate goal is to fence for the Puerto Rican National Team.
![MacAuthor High School Junior, Manny Sanchez on Junior Olympics team](https://www.wegopublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/fence-2-e1688343748143.png)
History of the Olympian Fencing Club
Olympian Fencing Club was founded in 2010 by Velizar Iliev, a former Olympian (Sydney 2000) and World Champion in Modern Pentathlon. As an accomplished fencer, Velizar assembled a program to teach epee fencing to students of all levels. Velizar retired in November 2022 and the club is now run by Head Coach Tommi Hurme, a former Princeton Varsity Fencing Team Captain, Junior National Champion, and NCAA All-American.
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Olympian Fencing Club currently operates out of the Henrich Center for Fencing and International Sports, a Bexar County Community Venue located on the St. Anthony High School campus and managed by the University of Incarnate Word.
By Sloan Patterson, Texas State University