A lavish 12 badminton court hall lay empty while 143 fencers, their bags, parents and coaches were crammed into a reduced version of a four badminton court hall. This should teach fencers not to enter late and pay £25 for it. But as the organisers rightly said "well done to the fencers for making the day go well and without complication... for the record the last final finished at 6:50pm". Personally I was lucky. I was in the first half of the pools. So once I finished I knew that I can safely catch up on two hours of sleep while the second half of pools battle it out and then the women's rounds are done. getting a bye through to the last 64 is also useful as it gives you time to get warmed up all over again. So the word is strategic thinking!! Obviously none of the above applies to the few who were eliminated from the competition after the one round :(

The event was supported by Allman and Allstar with good working equipment and PINK pists!! But for those who picked medals, top four only, they got a good size thick fencing medal.