Bloemfontein – Hananja Steyn and Mariet Schroder have been selected for the South African senior women’s fencing team to represent the country at the African Fencing Championships in Cairo, Egypt, from 20-24 June 2014.
The University of the Free State student, Steyn, has represented the country before at the Africa Championships while Schroder will be making her debut for the national squad.
Last year, the African Championships were held in Cape Town and the women’s sabre team received the bronze medal. This time Steyn hopes to do better.
“Our strongest competition is Egypt, Nigeria and Tunisia. These countries train mostly in Europe and attend European competition. However, we are ready,” Steyn told Courant Sport.
The senior team manager, Mike Stafford, also agrees with Steyn, adding that the hosts, who won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics in the men’s individual foil discipline, pose a serious threat.
“Yes, in Africa, Egypt pose a threat, but we have a full team going and we’re hoping to get some medals,” added Stafford.
Steyn and Schroder are in the sabre team along with Jane Stamp.
The other fencers are Giselle Vicatos, Juliana Barrett and Tammy Carfoot (women’s epee) as well as Susan Agrella and Vicatos (women’s foil).
The team will depart on 18 June and return on June 24.
