MEDIA RELEASE 

5 December 2023 

NORTH MELBOURNE – NSW fencer Emily Principe won yesterday’s Australian and Oceania women’s epee competition, as part of the 2023 Australian and Oceania Senior, Veteran, and Australian Youth Circuit Fencing Championships.

She commented that the final was a “tough match”: “I haven’t fenced Katarina Egan before, so going in, I think it was new for both of us. I’m lucky that I have a couple of years on her, so I had a little bit more experience.”

Unusually, both competitors in the final match were quite young: Ms. Principe is 24, and Ms. Egan is 16. Ms. Principe said, “It’s certainly exciting. I commented that this is the first national podium this year without a veteran on it. It’s exciting for all of us to see – also across the whole competition – to see more depth in the women’s epee, and it’s encouraging to see all those up-and-coming fencers. It also keeps us on our toes, because there’s no easy wins. Anyone could have won today.”

She’s not one to rest on her laurels. “This evening I’m heading out to Vancouver for the Vancouver World Cup individual and teams events, and I’m looking forward to representing Australia at the Doha Grand Prix next year. We’re also aiming for Asian Champs. There isn’t a World Champs – there’s the Olympics instead – and the ultimate aim is to crack that number one Australian ranking spot to go to the Olympic qualification tournament. Today certainly helps!”

She stressed that competing is a team effort: “I want to say thank you to my coaches and family, and huge thank you to my equipment sponsor, Scherma Australia, who’ve helped me with gear and with subsidising training expenses.” 

Results for each event are being posted in real time at

https://www.fencingtimelive.com/tournaments/eventSchedule/8284EE098F63431FA0F03B468EE30E0A#today

The 2023 Australian and Oceania Senior, Veteran, and Australian Youth Circuit Fencing Championships continue through Tuesday, 5 December. Photo and interview opportunities with competitors will be available throughout the competition. 

Photo credit: Ed Chiu

For more information

Laura E. Goodin
Media Officer
media@fencingvictoria.org