In 2010, at the age of 11, Emily Principe took up Foil fencing, for fun, at her neighbourhood fencing club.
A few years later, in 2013, Emily decided to make a switch to Epee fencing and, at the same time, to seek out a larger club that offered more competitive fencing partners along with longer opening hours. So Emily joined UTS Fencing Club and became a pupil of Simon Jin – UTS Fencing Club’s Director of Fencing.
Since joining UTS, the Club has been very impressed with Emily’s results, which have included many schools, state, national and international medals. At various times, over the years, Emily has been ranked first in Australia for her age, gender and weapon. She ended the 2015/2016 fencing season ranked 45th in the world for Cadet Women’s Epee.
Highlights from Emily’s international fencing career, to date, have included:
- bronze – Cadet – Oceania Games, Noumea, 2013;
- silver – teams, Cadet – Oceania Games, Noumea, 2013;
- top 16(15) – Cadet – Asian Championships, Abu Dhabi, 2015;
- bronze – teams, Junior – Asian Championships, Abu Dhabi, 2015;
- bronze – Cadet – Commonwealth Championships, Cape Town, 2015;
- top 8(7) – Junior – Commonwealth Junior Championships, Cape Town, 2015; and
- gold – teams, Opens – Oceania Championships, Canberra, 2015.
As well as being appreciative of the support given to her by UTS Fencing Club, over the years, Emily has also been the grateful recipient of the following awards:
- Pierre De Coubertin Award, 2016
- Wests Ashfield Leagues Junior Magpies Award, 2016
- Local Sporting Champions Grant, 2013, 2015, 2016
- NSW Olympic Council Athlete Grant, 2014
- NewsLocal Junior Sports Star Winner for the Inner West Courier, 2014.
Looking forward, Emily’s ambition is to someday represent Australia at the Olympics.
