The start of the fencing season brings new aspirations, challenges, and fierce competition. For 12-year-old Zuri Alfred, her season began with a bang as she claimed a bronze medal at the Leon Paul U14 Open in London. Competing with her favoured weapon—the épée, the largest and heaviest weapon in fencing—Zuri emerged as one of the top athletes from a lineup of 13 other skilled fencers on Saturday.

“It was a very interesting, very complicated experience but I believe that it’s really helped me understand what it’s like to fence more people,” she said. “I understand what it’s like to be now in the Under14 category, and I understand that it’s now pretty much more serious, it’s very much more difficult and now that I understand that I can apply that to my next competition.”

The podium was shared by Tina Chen, who took the gold, Alexa Casin with silver, and Emily De Bono, who also won bronze. Tina, in particular, left a lasting impression on Zuri. “There’s this new girl who really caught my attention,” she admits, saying “She’s just amazing and I really look up to her.”

In preparation for her matches, Zuri’s regimen is as intense as it is thoughtful. She starts with stretches and meticulously writes down her moves, practicing each 10 times over to engrain them into her muscle memory. Of course, she said, the sport isn’t just physical but requires mental preparation. So along with writing down her moves, she journals her feelings and finds ways to cheer up so that it doesn’t affect her performance. 

This early season success is yet another milestone in Zuri’s rising fencing career. A U.S.-born fencer with Dominican heritage, Zuri’s path in fencing began at just five years old.

Now, she proudly represents the Commonwealth of Dominica in international competitions, aiming to bring the small island nation onto the global sports stage with her father’s support and the mentorship of decorated coaches like Hannah LeBor and Julianna Revesz of the Knightsbridge Fencing Club.

(pictured Zuri with her father Addison Alfred)

While Zuri has medaled in all three disciplines as a member of the Knightsbridge Fencing Club, épée remains her favorite for its unique freedom. At the start of 2024, she ranked #4 in the Leon Paul International Junior Series in London. In her first fencing competition of the year on January 28, 2024, Zuri placed 2nd, securing her qualification for the British Youth Championships held in May in Sheffield. She earned her spot with a silver medal at the London Regional British Youth Championships on February 25, 2024.