April 2025 — In a thrilling showcase of rising talent and experienced finesse, the recent novice-level Lightspeed Saber fencing tournament delivered both unexpected upsets and promising debuts.
The event, originally seeded as a C2-level competition, offered a pathway for fencers ranked D and below to earn a coveted C rank. Competitors were divided into two pools, featuring a mix of seasoned Division 2 fencers and brand-new entrants eager to test their skills under pressure.
POOLS
Two newcomers, Leo Isales and Chris Tomlinson, dominated their respective pools with perfect 5–0 records. They weren’t the only ones to impress—Nate Maniscalco, Gavin R, Brian Lee, and Matt Pointer each had strong performances that propelled them into the top 8.
Despite the fierce competition, every fencer walked away with at least one win, highlighting the tournament’s depth and competitive spirit.
Bracket Battles and AN UPSET
The elimination rounds brought fireworks. In a dramatic upset, Andrew Meehan, seeded 8th, defeated top-ranked Chris Tomlinson, shaking up expectations. Brian Lee overcame Maniscalco in a close and obtuse matchup, while Isales dispatched newcomer Philip Cucci, and Matt Pointer ended the run of young talent Gavin (3-2 in the pool; great for just a month’s experience!)
In the semifinals, Brian Lee edged past Meehan in a tense match that ended 24–20, with Lee taking advantage of Meehan’s relative experience to hand him numerous headshots. Isales, meanwhile, delivered a strong performance against Pointer, securing his spot in the final.
Pointer went on to defeat Meehan in the third-place match, but all eyes were on the final bout between Leo Isales and Brian Lee.
DEBUT
In the gold medal match, tall Leo Isales faced off against the slightly more experienced Brian Lee. It started fairly close, with Lee scoring a perfectly executed slipcut to the head, only for Isales to return the favor shortly after. A five-point defense came later, shooting Isales up rapidly. Ultimately Leo Isales bested Lee 23–15 to take the gold medal.
However, the overall strength of the competition ultimately led to the event being reclassified as a D2-level tournament, capping the maximum rank gain at D.
Despite the downgrade, Isales earned his first Lightspeed Saber ranking, debuting at D rank. Brian Lee, not quite a yearling, celebrated a career milestone by advancing to E rank.
A Glimpse of the Future
The blend of seasoned Division 2 athletes and energetic newcomers made for a dynamic and unpredictable tournament. With fresh faces like Isales and Tomlinson making waves and veterans like Lee and Pointer continuing to push their limits, the future of Lightspeed Saber fencing looks bright.
Thanks to Director John Mullins for planning and reffing the event. Thanks to all competitors and congratulations to the winners!
Cang Snow (AI assisted)
