SACRAMENTO FENCING CLUB MEMBER QUALIFIES FOR 2008 OLYMPICS!!!

James Williams, 23, has been named to the U.S. fencing squad that will compete in Beijing this summer at the Olympic Games.

  The Olympic qualifying path was a real nail biter for James. The question of who would make the national team came down to the last bout of the last competition of the season. James had struggled early in the 2007-08 season, but came on strong late and was the highest American finisher in a series of World Cup events, including making the finals of the Moscow Grand Prix. Approaching the Division I U.S. National Championships, he had a slim hold on the number three spot on the U.S. point standings. In the end his fourteen years of unwavering commitment, sweat, and sacrifice have paid off.

Congratulations James!!!

James Williams Fencing Highlights:

Bronze medalist in Youth-12 North American Cup 1998

Silver at Youth-12 Summer Nationals 1998

Bronze medalist Youth-14 North American Cup 1999

Bronze medalist at Junior Olympics 2001

Finalist at Louisville Junior World Cup 2002

Bronze medalist in Juniors at Summer Nationals 2003

Finalist at Logrono, Spain Junior World Cup 2003

Represented the U.S. at Senior World Championships 2006 in Turin, Italy

Silver medalist Pan American Games 2007

Finalist at Moscow Senior Grand Prix 2008

As the number four-ranked men’s sabre fencer in the U.S. at the close of the 2007-08 season, qualified as of April 26, 2008, for the Beijing Olympics Team Men’s Sabre event.

The Sacramento Fencing Club, located within the Sacramento Sportsplex in Rancho Cordova, offers both recreational as well as elite-level competitive training in sabre fencing. The club is also a popular site for children’s birthday parties.

2008 Olympian James Williams and Sacramento Fencing Club Coaches Ted Smith and Paul Sears

2008 U.S. Olympic Fencing Team