By Jamie Kim
Epée fencers Michael Raynis â10 and Emma Peterson â11 captured respective gold and bronze medals at the 2008 Junior Olympics, held Feb. 15-18 in Charlotte, N.C.
Raynis is ranked second nationally for his age division and Peterson is ranked first in hers. This is not their first time competing in the Junior Olympics. Last year, Raynis took home a silver medal, while Peterson has attended the tournament since being the youngest player to qualify at age 12, according to an article in the Santa Monica Daily Press. Both compete at an international level and have represented the U.S. at World Cup fencing events abroad.
Raynis, who hopes to one day compete in the Olympics, says he likes the âdynamicsâ of fencing.
âThere are many ways you can succeed in fencing, even if you are lacking athleticism,â he said.
