KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More than 2,000 fencers from nearly every state in the nation arrived in Kansas City Thursday. They’ll be here throughout the weekend competing in the North American Cup at the Kansas City Convention Center.
The question remains, how many may run into issues trying to fly or drive home? While fencing takes agility and the ability to outwit your opponent, now they may also have to try to outduel “Mother Nature.”
Fencers at Heartland Fencing Academy got in their final lunges and parries Thursday night before the start of the North American Cup January 3-6.
The last time it was here Harrison McMillian was seven years old.
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“Six years ago I got to see Miles Chamley-Watson, which is a huge Olympic fencer, which was very motivating,” McMillian said.
Now the 13 year old is one of 2300 competitors who will compete in the event that spans age groups from Cadet (Under 17) to over 80 and features 4 Paralympians and 18 Olympians.
“If you’ve ever seen Star Wars and you always wanted to be a Jedi at some point and here you are smacking people with swords,” Atlanta-area fencer Christopher Shankwiler, 16, said.