Top fencing stars from all over the country battled it out to take honours at the 26th Essex Open.

And home-grown Olympic star James Beevers, of the Canvey Island club Cyrano, improved on last year's second place by taking the title in the men's foil event.

The Open is traditionally the first event of the UK fencing season and male and female competitors were battling it out for national ranking points as well as the prizes on offer.

Over the last 25 years the event has grown into a major fixture in the UK fencing calender and another very strong entry took part on Saturday and Sunday at the Highwoods Sports and Leisure Centre.

It was organised by the Colchester and District Fencing Club and chairman Lyndon Taylor said there were entrants from Holland as well as from all over England, Scotland and Wales.

Published Tuesday, September 7, 2004

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