DETROIT -- Four members of the Wayne State University men's fencing program competed individually ahead of the 2025 portion of the season. Three student-athletes appeared at the January North American Cup in Kansas City, Mo. and one appeared at the Junior World Cup in Basel, Switzerland.
Mahmoud Elsayed (Tanta, Gharbia, / Egypt El Nasr Official Language School) competed at the Junior World Cup in Switzerland both as an individual and as a member of the Egyptian National Team.
In pool play, Elsayed compiled a 4-2 record with a +9 touch differential (26-17).
The freshman entered the direct elimination stage ranked 58th, defeating Mykhailo Sydorov of Ukraine 15-13 in the Table of 256, before falling to Mathias Murumaa of Estonia in a close 15-14 bout. Elsayed finished 82nd out of 286 athletes.
With Egypt, Elsayed contributed very heavily to the team's success. The team received a first round bye, being ranked No. 2 entering the direct elimination. In the Table of 16 against Saudi Arabia, the Warrior set the tone early, claiming five quick touches to put the Egyptian team ahead 5-0. He appeared two more times vs. Saudi Arabia, going 2-6 and 5-7 with a -1 touch differential for the bout (12-13). Egypt defeated Saudi Arabia 45-43, as Egypt moved on to the Table of 8.
In the Table of 8, Elsayed was +3 in touches (19-16), helping Egypt claim a 43-38 triumph over Hungary.
Egypt was slated to face Italy in the semifinals. The freshman was once again positive in touch differential (+2) as the team advanced to the final match.
In the final, Egypt defeated Kazakhstan 45-30. Elsayed was +6 in touches (17-11) including a 5-0 performance to earn gold for the team.
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Three other Warriors,
Ethan Leung (Hong Kong / Yew Chung International School of Shanghai [YCIS]),
Zeyad Nofal (Cairo, / Egypt Newcastle International School), and
Bryce Heim (Oconomowoc, Wis.), competed at the North American Cup in Kansas City, Mo., held by USA Fencing.
Leung appeared in the foil weapon, entering the event ranked No. 213. The sophomore went 3-3 in pool play, with a +2 touch differential (25-23) entering the direct elimination stage 107th. In the Table of 256, Leung defeated Daniel Kim 15-12, but fell to SanJay Kasi 15-8 in the Table of 128, finishing 139th of 265 athletes.
In sabre, Nofal was ranked 69th, and finished 4-2 in pool play with a +11 touch differential (28-17). Heading into the direct elimination, Nofal was ranked 44th, defeating Hank Bauer 15-7 in the Table of 128. In the Table of 64, Nofal fell in his bout with Cody Ji 15-13 and finished 44th of 221. Along with competing at the January NAC, Nofal also participated at the Grand Prix Nuoma, in Orléans, France. At the Grand Prix Nuoma, the redshirt-freshman went 5-1 in pool play, and earned a win in the table of 128, before falling in the table of 64.
Bryce Heim competed at the NAC as well, in the epee weapon. Heim finished pool play 3-2 with a -1 touch differential (18-19). The junior fell in the Table of 256 to Ethan Romanov 15-12, finishing 175th out of 287 participants.
UP NEXT
The Wayne State University fencing programs will host the Danosi Open on Saturday, January 11, with the event set to start at 8:30 AM in the Matthaei building.
