2025 Junior Olympics & Division I NAC: Day 1 Recap

Charlotte, N.C. - The first day of the 2025 Junior Olympics and Division I NAC kicked off with two junior fencers claiming their national titles.

Michael Bezrodnov (Medeo Fencing Club) claimed his first ever national championship after getting silver three previous times. He said “I was in the finals three times and got silver each time, and this time I got lucky, I guess. I got gold.” He continued on, “I analyzed my past bouts, and I was doing things mindlessly, and then this time I decided to actually think, and I'm reminding myself to think in each battle.”

Magda Skarbonkiewicz (Oregon Fencing Alliance & University of Notre Dame) took home gold in the Division I Women’s Saber event. She made a huge comeback in her final after being down 13-8.

“So that opponent is always someone, like, she's really good, and we always have a back and forth bout. So I went in, and then I got really excited, but not the right type of excitement. So then I think I was down 10-3, and then at 13-8, I think I woke up, I was like, ‘Oh, wait, I'm in the final.’  And then I ended up making a comeback, just I, like, brought myself calm, back to a calm state and energy. And that felt really good to just bring it back to 15-13.”

Bryce Louie (LA International Fencing & University of Pennsylvania) claimed the Division I Men’s Foil event gold medal where. He was so thrilled to win after a lot of hard work and looking to continue progressing in the sport. 

“The first one is the Junior Olympics is always a very special competition, and it is always really fun, and you bring the energy here. I also think that there have been so many nights, you know, grinding and feeling like I'm not, you know, moving forward in my fencing. And today, I really wanted to bring it. This past weekend we were at the Ivy championships, which was really difficult. But I have to really shout out my brother, Brennan. He really put me together and said, just enjoy it. Go dance out there. Go dance. That was like the biggest advice, and I hope I made him proud.”

The second national title of the day was earned by Sumin Lee (Columbia University & Battle Born Fencing Club). It took a moment for her to realize she had just won the national title. It was until after that moment that she realized the gravity of the bout she had just won. She said “At first, I was like, when mine was completely blank, but then, I realized I won so I was really happy.”