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Norman hits the world stage in global fencing tournament

Two weeks ago, 15-year-old Riley Norman was in British Columbia to train with some of the world’s most accomplished fencers.
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Riley Norman

Two weeks ago, 15-year-old Riley Norman was in British Columbia to train with some of the world’s most accomplished fencers.

Then, by a twist of fate, he found himself competing against them in an international tournament featuring athletes from close to 30 countries.

The 2015 Peter Bakonyi World Cup Men’s Epée was held in Richmond, B.C., from Feb. 13 to 15 with 180 athletes participating. Norman was there to train, but was later invited to compete after a fencer from Egypt was unable to attend.

A Stettler resident and a Grade 9 student at William E. Hay Composite High School, Norman said it was a happy surprise and a rare opportunity for a fencer his age.

Most of the competitors were between 25 and 40 years of age, and the event is part of the lead-up for those hoping to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“I was really surprised — for one thing, I didn’t think I’d be able to make it into a World Cup,” said Norman. “And I was really happy.”

Riley, the oldest of three children of Warren and Sandra Norman, has been competing in fencing for six years, inspired to try it after seeing it on TV the 2008 Summer Olympic Games from Beijing.

Two years ago, Riley earned a national title. Currently, he is ranked the top men’s epée fencer in Alberta in the cadet category, and fourth overall among senior male epée fencers in the province.

Riley divides his time between British Columbia and Alberta, training with Canadian head coach Victor Gantsevich and Olympic gold medalist Eric Boisse at Vancouver’s Dynamo Fencing Club, and with four-time Olympian Jujie Luan at the Edmonton Fencing Club.

His mother said his teachers and principal Norbert Baharally have been very accommodating in allowing him to attend class while he’s home, and giving him online work and homework assignments so he can keep up with his classmates while he’s away.

She also credited fencer Igor Gantsevich with arranging for Riley to compete in the World Cup, calling him a mentor and “Riley’s biggest supporter.”

“There’s almost no chance of someone my age getting into an open World Cup,” said Riley, noting that it was his first time in a world-wide competition. “They are really the best fencers in the world.”

Riley had spent 10 days in British Columbia for training, prior to competing in the individual event on Friday, Feb. 13, where he finished in a three-way tie for 156th place out of 176 competitors.

He remarked that the size of his competitors was about the same as he’s used to, but the skill level was much higher. Still, he enjoyed one victory and scored points in each match, including a touch scored on a past Olympic medalist.

Riley said he hopes he’ll have another chance to compete in a future year. For now, his goal is to make the national team for the cadet age group (under 17).

He is scheduled to compete in the Canada Cup in Kitchener, Ont., from March 6 to 8, and in the Western Canadian Championships in Richmond, B.C. from March 13 to 15.