March 2026 NAC Day 3 Recap: Six More Golds in Cleveland
Published
Day 3 of the March 2026 North American Cup in Cleveland produced six national champions across youth and Division II events.
Day 3 of the March 2026 North American Cup in Cleveland produced six national champions across youth and Division II events.
Day 3 gold medalists
- Y-12 Women's Epee — Ifechi Olele (Elite Fencing Academy)
- Y-12 Women's Saber — Sana Sarath (Frisco Fencing Academy)
- Y-12 Men's Foil — Mendy Wang (Future Stars Fencing)
- Y-14 Men's Saber — Royce Zhao (Z1 Fencing Club)
- Division II Women's Foil — Chloe Jiang (Star Fencing Academy)
- Division II Men's Epee — Yassin Shousha (Elite Fencing Academy)
A one-touch comeback in a first Division II NAC
Yassin Shousha's Division II Men's Epee title came at his first Division II NAC, and it came the hard way: he was down 14–13 in the final before turning the bout around. Winning from a touch behind at 14 is a nerve test more than a technical one — the fencer who stays with a plan at 14–13 is usually the one who wins it.
Youth events carry real depth
Two Y-12 saber and foil titles and a Y-14 Men's Saber gold on the same day is a reminder of how deep the youth national field has become. Fencers arriving at a Y-12 or Y-14 NAC have typically been competing regionally for a season or more, and the medal rounds are decided by composure as much as speed.
What this means for a developing saber fencer
For families watching results like Royce Zhao's Y-14 Men's Saber gold or Sana Sarath's Y-12 win, the practical takeaway is not about talent. It is about the volume of bouting behind those results — regular club competition, footwork work that continues even in weeks without a tournament, and lessons that focus on choices rather than only on actions.
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Official USA Fencing source: March 2026 NAC Day 3 Recap: Commitment, Curiosity and Confidence Lead to Gold in Cleveland — published March 8, 2026.
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