Hosted by the Canadian Fencing Federation at Canada Games Park in Thorold, Ont., this past weekend, several Varsity Blues fencers took to the piste for the 2025 Canadian Nationals.

Delivering the top result among U of T fencers at the competition, Janna Elshakankiri placed 10th overall in a field of 47 competitors for the senior women's sabre title. The Varsity Blues veteran and multiple time OUA all-star went 5-1 during pool play, earning her a first round bye during the elimination rounds. She was then able to earn a 15-6 victory during the round of 32, advancing to the quarter-finals. However, a tightly contested 15-11 defeat versus an opponent from Dynamiques de Brebeuf would bring her run at the national showcase to a close.

On the men's side, Matthew Teng and Michael Howard earned the top results for Varsity Blues competitors.

Concluding his first season at U of T this spring, Teng placed fifth out of 58 entrants in the senior men's sabre event. After a perfect 5-0 run during pool play matches, Teng reached the quarter-final round after earning 15-6 and 15-11 elimination bracket wins. Also competing in the junior men's sabre category, Teng picked up a bronze medal in the U20 bracket.

Meanwhile, Howard finished 16th among the 85 total entrants in the senior foil bracket. Howard went 5-1 during the pool play rounds, entering the secondary elimination bracket. He would then earn a 15-12 win in the round of 64 and a 15-13 victory during the round of 32 to finish in the top spot of the secondary bracket, placing him 16th overall.

Additional Top 35 results for U of T fencers included a 29th place finish for Valdis Ling and 32nd place result for Nicholas Gutierrez-Sarabia out of 121 entrants in the senior men's epee. As well, Anna and Lilla Mucsi placed 22nd and 33rd among 74 competitors in the senior women's epee, while Aili Chen finished 33rd in the senior women's foil.