10/15/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: DC Fencers Club, [email protected]
Potomac and Eastern Shore Fencers Win Gold and Bronze at Vet Worlds
(Silver Spring, Md., Oct. 15, 2026) - Two fencers from Potomac, and Eastern Shore, Md. earned team gold and individual bronze for Team USA at the 25th Veteran Fencing World Championships, held Oct. 9-17, 2026 in Tbilisi, Georgia. “Vet Worlds” brings together more than 1200 of world’s best veteran fencers - age 40 and above - from 65 countries to compete in epee, sabre, and foil in both individual and team events. DC Fencers Club in Silver Spring, Md. sent three fencers to Vet Worlds: Kristin Foellmer, Lotte Bowie, and Kerry Swick. All three train with Head Coach Janusz Smolenski at DC Fencers Club.
Kristin Foellmer, 50 of Potomac, Md., was a key Team USA player in the Oct. 14 gold medal bout against France. Foellmer joined teammates Cassandra Bates (Marx Fencing Academy), Lacey Biniak (Northwest Fencing Center, Orion Fencing), Leslie Marx OLY (Marx Fencing Academy), and Monica Exum (Salle Auriol Seattle) to beat France for the first U.S. women’s epee team world championship title since 2022 and the first in the Veteran format. Foellmer adds a team title to last year’s individual gold.
“Representing Team USA is an honor, and sharing that experience with teammates makes the experience unforgettable,” said Foellmer.
DCFC Head Coach Smolenski served as lead coach for the gold medal bout. “They are an extraordinary group of women. A dream team for the coach,” he noted.
Charlotta Bowie of Still Pond, Md. took bronze in the Vet 70 Women’s Epee earlier this week — her second individual Vet Worlds medal, extending Team USA’s medal streak in this event to six straight championships.
Kerry Swick of Columbia Maryland advanced to the top 64 (59) in the Vet 70 Men’s Epee event on Saturday in his first trip to Vet Worlds.
See the full press release through a link in our bio.
