From the Daily Gazette, July 12, 2023

TROY — Luca Savoy (left), a 16-year-old honor student at Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, took first place recently in the Division III Men’s Sabre National Championship at the 2023 USA Fencing National Championships and July Challenge in Phoenix.

Savoy went undefeated in all 13 of his bouts, besting a field of 200 fencers to bring home the gold. Although he has been successful in regional tournaments, this was Savoy’s first national championship.

Savoy has been fencing at Beaches Sabre Club-NY, a premiere fencing club located in Troy, under head coach Carolyn Lapham since he was 9 years old.

“Luca has always been a talented fencer but he was able to find an amazing level of confidence, focus and competitiveness that day to the point that none of his competitors offered any resistance by the end of their matches,” Lapham said in a release. “The club and I are very proud of him and look forward to watching him add to his success on the piste in the future.”

“My passion for fencing started the moment I first held a sabre in my hand and it has been blossoming ever since,” Savoy said in the release. “I love the challenge of the split-second decision-making needed to size up my opponent while I am on the piste and the thrill of making hard-fought touches throughout the bout. The friendships I have made in this wonderful fencing community are also reasons I love fencing so much.”

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