Bouwkamp cuts competition

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Bouwkamp said of wheelchair fencing, “Even though it’s an individual sport, you still grow together as a team.”
Bouwkamp said of wheelchair fencing, “Even though it’s an individual sport, you still grow together as a team.”

By Amy Moshier

Although fencing is an individual sport, Cat Bouwkamp, 17, loves the team aspect of it just as much. She is ranked 6th in the world for IWAS Category A Women’s Saber Wheelchair fencing.

Bouwkamp won the bronze medal in the Women’s Category A saber fencing competition at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Aug. 9.

“It was the best result I’ve ever achieved at a World Championship. I was there with my whole team so it was a great team building experience. I loved it,” Bouwkamp, a junior at Fishers High School, said. “Even though it’s an individual sport, you still grow together as a team,” she said. The US Wheelchair Fencing team is made up of three girls and six boys.

Her dedication to this unique sport is obvious. Bouwkamp has been competing on a national level since age 10 and an international level since age 13. Her parents love to watch her compete, but even after all of these years, they still get nervous for their daughter.

“There is a familiar feeling to watching the competitions even at high level competitions,” Alan Bouwkamp, her father, said. “On the other hand, each bout is nerve – wracking and hard to watch. I try to not to be a distraction, but at the same time remind her than I am there rooting for her. Her mom and I are very proud of the years of focus and hard work that have gone into what she has been able to achieve thus far,” he said.

When asked what she likes best about fencing, Bouwkamp said the ability to make decisions quickly in fast-paced action is fun for her. “I really like that you have to think on your feet,” she said.


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