Bowie Teen Fencer Wins National, International Gold Medals

Although Amanda Sirico has been fencing competitively only since she was 7, it could be said the 16-year-old from Bowie was born with an epee in her hand—her parents are both former competitive fencers and that’s how they met years ago. 

Both of her parents are retired from the competitive circuit but Sirico and her two younger sisters are involved with the sport, fencing with the DC Fencer’s Club. 

Sirico, who’s ranked No. 1 in Cadet Women’s Epee (under 17) and No. 13 in Junior (under 20), took home a gold medal in October at the North American Cup after going undefeated in pools and six direct elimination rounds.

Her next goal is to qualify for the Junior Fencing World Championships, which will be held in Croatia in April 2013.

As a competitive fencer, Sirico travels both nationally and internationally. Her favorite place to compete is Grenoble, France.

“It’s the most pretty place of them all,” said Sirico, who also has been to Switzerland and Sweden for fencing competitions.

November marked the third and final time that Sirico could compete in Grenoble, because at almost 17, she is aging out of the Grenoble Cadet European Epee Cup. That made winning a gold medal in Grenoble, her second in two months, a little sweeter.

“It was really exciting. And they give the best prizes,” said Sirico, who took home a Longchamp watch and bag along with her gold medal. 

All of these gold medals do not come easily. Sirico, who is home schooled, practices from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. She spars with her sisters and other fencers from her training facility, DC Fencer’s Club.

"It's all going by so fast," Sirico said of her youth fencing career.

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