Media Contact: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195

On Tuesday, April 7, 2009, Katharine Holmes, age 15, a fencer with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation’s Chevy Chase Fencing Club, won the silver medal at the Cadet Women’s Epee World Championships in Belfast, Ireland.  After a long day of dominating her competition, Holmes finally lost to an opponent in the gold medal bout of the Cadet Women’s Epee World Championships, 10 - 15, against a tough Hungarian fencer, Dorina Budai. 

In the preliminary round, Holmes, who is currently the Junior (under age 20) US National Champion and the Cadet (under age 17) US National Champion, fenced against competitors from Germany, Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, Poland, and Netherlands.  In the direct elimination round Holmes was victorious over fencers from Ukraine, Venezuela, Russia, Croatia, and Italy before competing against the gold medal winner from Hungary.

"I am proud to recognize Katharine Holmes for her accomplishments on the world stage of fencing competition, it is an honor to have an athlete as talented as Katharine representing both the United States and DPR," said Clark E. Ray, Director of DPR.  "With an expanding variety of programs offered by DPR, you can now find DPR athletes competing and earning medals here in the District, across the country, and even around the world."

The day of global competition, with 77 entries from 35 countries in the tournament, started early, with Holmes arriving at the tournament at 7 am to warm-up and practice before the 8:30 am start.  Holmes’ gold medal bout and award ceremony did not end until 9:30 pm.  The United States won six medals at the Cadet World Championships, more than any other country.

Each country is allowed to send only their three best fencers to the World Championships.  Holmes was accompanied to Ireland by her family, US World Championship teammates, and coaches, Fencing Master Raymond Finkleman and Assistant Coach Jean Finkleman.  The US World Championship team arrived several days early to adjust to the time change and to have practice sessions at the competition venue. 

"My assistant coach, Jean Finkleman, and I participated in the 2007 World Championships in Turkey with another youth athlete from the DPR fencing program.  Having seen the quality of the fencing there, I told Katharine before leaving for Belfast, Ireland, that she will be fencing in the gold medal bout," said Raymond Finkleman.  "I think this gave her confidence throughout the competition.  Being second in the World is a spectacular result for any athlete.  Katharine has huge potential and can look forward to more medals in future World Championships and the Olympics."

Holmes started fencing at age 9 with DPR’s Chevy Chase Community Center’s Junior Epee program taught by Fencing Master Raymond Finkleman and assistant coaches, Jean Finkleman and David Livengood. 

The Chevy Chase Community Center Fencing Club is one of the best in the United States, and has produced national champions and a graduate of the program competed in the 2007 World Championships in Belek, Turkey. 

Medalists at the Cadet World Championships, from left: Silver Medal - Katharine Holmes, USA; Gold Medal – Dorina Budai, Hungary; Bronze Medal – Camilla Batini, Italy and Anqi Xu, China (photo by Raymond Finkleman).

About the Chevy Chase Fencing Club
The Chevy Chase Fencing Club practices five times a week under the supervision of the coaches at the Chevy Chase Community Center, 5601 Connecticut Avenue, NW.  Beginning and intermediate classes are offered for 8 to 12 year olds on Saturdays, adult classes (age 13 and above) are taught on Wednesday evenings, and private lessons are available to competitive members.  For more information visit Fencing Master Raymond Finkleman's website, www.fencer.com or contact the Chevy Chase Community Center at (202) 282-2204.