Fencing N.Z. NOMINEES’ CHANCES

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28447, 29 November 1957, Page 3

Fencing N.Z. NOMINEES’ CHANCES

Capable Of Reaching Finals Although none of the four fencers nominated for the New Zealand team to compete at the Empire Games at Cardiff next vear is expected to win a title, the New Zealand selectors are confident that any of them could win a medal and that all are capable of reaching the finals in their individual events. Mrs E. Mitchell (Otago), who is first preference, has reached the final in every New Zealand tournament in which she has entered and is considered the most technically capable woman fencer in the Dominion. She possesses the added attributes of speed and timing so necessary in international competition. The loss of an arm has not deterred B. Pickworth (Auckland) from reaching the top in the sport. He has been the foils champion for the last two years and has fenced in the finals of all three weapons in both years. He has great speed, determination and a fine sense of timing. The former Canterbury fencer. P. Temple (Wellington), won the national foil title in 1955 and was placed in 1956 and this year. Last year he won the Canterburv foil and sabre titles. He was a nominee for the New Zealand Empire Games team in 1954 but was forced to withdraw from the trial after two bouts because of a leg injury. Attendance at the Olympic Games as a spectator last year allowed Mrs E. McElwee (Canterbury") the opportunitv of practising ’ with Olympic fencers —with many of whom she was on equal terms. She has competed at the New Zealand championships for many years and with distinction. She won the women’s Empire Games trials in 1954 in the individual foil and the next year, as well as gaining third place in the national foils championship, was fourth in the all-Australian women’s foils championship. She is the present Canterbury women’s foil t champion and runner-up in the same event at the national championships this year.