Soji’s birthday bronze duelling best in Europe

TOP swordsman Soji Aiyenuro celebrated his 16th birthday in style at the weekend when he returned home from the International Cadet Sabre Tournament with a bronze medal.
Competing in Stuttgart, Germany, the William Ellis pupil overcame an extremely difficult draw as he took his place alongside 127 top fencers for one of the strongest competitions in Europe.
Showing off an array of skills, Soji defeated three German fencers and opponents from the Ukraine and Russia on his way to the semi-finals, where he was narrowly beaten 15-11.
Soji was just one of the youngsters from Camden Fencing Club in action recently.
The club, which is based at Acland Burghley school in Tufnell Park, entered a team of nine fencers in the Brentwood Under-20s Sabre Tournament.
Holloway’s Curtis Miller won the competition after beating British number one Maiyeran Ratneswaren 15-13 in the final.
On his way to the final Miller beat team-mate Soji, who collected a bronze medal for his efforts in the ranking competition.
Other results saw Fabio Artesi finish ninth, with his twin brother Gianfranco ending the day in 11th place. Jonathon Webb and Jack Horrix finished in 25th and 37th place respectively.
In the girls’ category, newcomer Aliya Iskowitz finished ninth, Eucalypta Bradley took 14th place and Emma Horrix ended the day in 19th position.
STEVE BARNETT