Manny Sanchez, a junior at MacArthur High School in NEISD, has emerged as a rising star in the sport of fencing, showcasing exceptional talent and skill. With his remarkable abilities, Manny has earned a spot to compete in the highly prestigious 2023 Fencing Junior Olympics, a testament to his dedication and hard work in honing his craft. Manny’s remarkable progress places him among the top fencers in the country, and he is poised to make a significant impact in this highly competitive event.
Manny is the only fencer in the Junior Olympics who has qualified in two fencing weapons, the epee and foil. “I’ve been fencing since third grade,” said Manny. “When I was younger, I was always playing with foam swords. So, my mom was proactive and found a fencing club.” His ultimate goal is to fence for the Puerto Rican National Team.
History of the Olympian Fencing Club
Olympian Fencing Club was founded in 2010 by Velizar Iliev, a former Olympian (Sydney 2000) and World Champion in Modern Pentathlon. As an accomplished fencer, Velizar assembled a program to teach epee fencing to students of all levels. Velizar retired in November 2022 and the club is now run by Head Coach Tommi Hurme, a former Princeton Varsity Fencing Team Captain, Junior National Champion, and NCAA All-American.
Olympian Fencing Club currently operates out of the Henrich Center for Fencing and International Sports, a Bexar County Community Venue located on the St. Anthony High School campus and managed by the University of Incarnate Word.
By Sloan Patterson, Texas State University
