The Miami Lakes Fencing Club features competitors who practice three days a week at Miami Lakes Methodist Church, 14800 Ludlam Road.
The group recently competed in the Sunshine State Games in West Palm Beach, where head coach and trainer Javier Andino and assistant coach Gary Cardenas led their team to a good rating for overall performance during the tournament.
“Our youngest club member is 9 years old and our most senior is over 70,” Cardenas. “We are a competitive club and have traveled throughout Florida for tournaments. We have even been to Puerto Rico and El Salvador to compete in international events.
“Next year, we are targeting to make it to one of the National tournaments that are held throughout the United States by the U.S. Fencing Association, which is the governing body for the sport in the U.S.”
One of the group’s brightest young stars is Alex Cardenas, Gary Cardenas’ son, who has been focused on epee as his primary weapon and has been winning medals consistently over the past three years. This past year, he turned 13 and was able to compete in open events, which are comprised of fencers of all ages (above 13) and skill levels.
"He is currently focusing on obtaining his first national ranking in epee," Cardenas said.
Fencers are rated in one of 6 categories which are A, B, C, D, E, and U, with U unclassified and A being the highest rating attainable.
Ratings are obtained based on successfully placing or medaling in events that meet the guidelines established by the U.S. Fencing Association.
“I am primarily focused on epee and gained my E rating in 2014, but I also actively practice and compete in foil and saber as well. I am classified as U in those weapons, but have won medals in all three weapons in unrated events,” Alex Cardenas said. “We are one of a few pairs of parent-child fencers in the South Florida area, so it's a unique sport in the fact that it offers an opportunity for both parent and child to train and compete alongside and sometimes against each other. You won't find that in baseball, football and soccer.”
The Miami Lakes Fencing Club hosts five tournaments a year in Miami Lakes with the next one scheduled for Sunday, October 18 and Sunday, November 22 at the Roberto Alonso Community Center at Royal Oaks Park , 16500 N.W. 87 Avenue.
Last year, the first event drew almost 100 fencers from throughout Florida, as well as some that traveled in from Puerto Rico and Columbia.
South Florida is home to about 8 or 9 fencing clubs and some clubs are focused on only one or two of the three weapons. Coach Andino is a certified member of the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association and has competed on the national team for his home country of Honduras.
The Miami Lakes Fencing Club practices on Monday, Tuesday and Fridays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the church.