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Sam | سام

@saamblade

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🤺 Australian Para Fencer
🧬 Defying Friedreich’s Ataxia
🏋 @nswinstituteofsport @sydney_para_fencing
🪩 @studiosarsaam

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Contributor: Sam Blade @saamblade (Sabre & Epee - Sydney Academy of Fencing - Para Fencer)

Title: The loss doesn’t define you. It’s how you learn from it and come back
Producer/Photo/Video: Ed Chiu @fencing.photography
July 2025

This story is a year in the making and I am glad I waited.. I shot these video footage and photos back in April 2024 at one of Sam’s training sessions at Sydney Academy of Fencing. It was 7 weeks out before Sam and Penny Elliot competed in Thailand for their first international fencing comp. He has done a lot since this session so we got together a few months ago to talk about his journey so far.

This article isn’t just about para fencing, because in order to grow the sport you need to learn about the people’s background, hear their stories, their struggle and challenges then find ways to solve the missing pieces. For Sam, para fencing is about ‘Pushing Limits’ and ‘Finding ways to push past obstacles - both on and off the piste.”

It goes without saying that once you have a purpose your journey is more fulfilling and whether you win or lose you are also gaining something in the process.

In the article, Sam also talks about his experience as a para fencer at fencing competitions, the people he meets, gains and loss. Sam and I have a common interest in Photography.. Well ok, my photography isn’t entirely a hobby but I love hearing from people who have passion in photography and bonus Sam can shoot on films.

Sam likes to see Wheelchair fencing grow across Australia.
For NSW, please contact Sydney Academy of Fencing.
Please contact the state fencing centre in your own state for information.

Video 1: Training footage at @sydney_para_fencing, Sydney Academy of Fencing, April 2024
Video 2: Imogen @imogen_rice vs Sam at Sydney Academy of Fencing, 2025

#parafencing #fencingsportphotography #parafencer #fencingphotography #sportphotography #friedreichsataxia #wheelchairfencing #wheelchairfencer #australianfencingteam #Paralympicsport #iwas #touchpoint #challengetochange

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Cheese, apple and 4 pretzels please.

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Para Fencing Showcase #2 at AFC#2
Nissan Arena Brisbane | 17 to 18 October 2026 🤺♿

We’re proud to be hosting our 2nd Para Fencing Showcase alongside AFC#2 at Nissan Arena!

This is a fantastic opportunity to see para fencing in action, support our athletes, and continue building inclusive pathways across Australia.

This event is open to para fencers, athletes who have previously tried para fencing, and fencers with lower body mobility impairments who are interested in competing.

Para fencers can compete if they:
✔ Register via JustFence
✔ Hold a valid State membership
✔ Bring 350N whites, standard blade & FIE underplastron
Mixed gender pools with separate gender DEs. No classification required.

Athletes, coaches, referees, families and supporters: come along, get involved, and help grow para fencing in Australia 💚💛

More information via the link in our bio.
#wheelchairfencing #parafencing #ausfencing

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NAARM/MELBOURNE tonight !!!
who are we dancing w??

@pepperlafloydtheband
@itsme.elaura

on support gonna be a good one xx

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Thanks Caitlin! Offical photos from the Sydney Intervarsity League - Team competition - part 1 @sydneyintervarsityfencing

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Sydney Intervarsity League Teams - Official Photos - part #2 @sydneyintervarsityfencing @saamblade @mel_kilminster

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Thanks for the photos! @fencing.photography 💪🏻♿️🤺

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AFC4 Wrap Up:

Our ‘home’ AFC wraps up with a slew of medals across all 3 days!

Beautiful to see our SAF family turn up in droves to support each other, win or lose, and our beautiful Para-fencing program getting its chance to shine on the national stage.

Not long now till Australian Nationals in Brisbane, let’s keep up the work!

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2025 World Ability Sport Games
Korat, Thailand
Day #3

Men’s Epee, Category A
Sam Blade – 44th Place

Sam secured 2 victories in the poules, finishing 28th overall and later ranked 44th after the subsequent rounds. He then faced V Shenfeld from NPA in the T64, where he gave a strong performance.

A huge congratulations to both Sam and Matilda for their incredible efforts over the past few days in Para Wheelchair Fencing. Well done to the whole team! #wheelchairsportsnsw #epee #wheelchairfencing #lifewithoutlimits #nswis #parauplift #theais #ausparalympics

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CALLING NEW PARA ATHLETES ✨🙌

Ever wondered where sport could take you?

In 2026, NSWIS is bringing high performance opportunities to communities across New South Wales!

📍 Sydney
📍 Hunter Region
📍 Illawarra Region
📍 Western Region

Play, learn, and discover your potential with expert coaches and coordinators 🧢🏀

🔗 Register now - link in bio or nswis.com.au/nswisparaunit

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AFF 2025 Athlete Survey Report is here! 📊

The Athletes’ Commission has released the 2025 Athlete Survey Report, capturing the voices of 105 fencers from across Australia.

This year’s insights highlight:
• Who our athletes are and why they fence
• Competition experiences
• Communication and engagement
• High-performance feedback
• Para-fencing inclusion
• Trust, fairness, and governance across the sport

These findings will help shape the AFF’s Operational Plan for 2026 and beyond, ensuring athlete voices remain at the heart of Australian fencing.

The full report is now available on the AFF website (link in the bio).

Thank you to everyone who took part - your feedback drives positive change. 🇦🇺 🤺

#ausfencing #fencing #parafencing

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Australia will be proudly represented at the upcoming World AbilitySport Games by wheelchair fencers Sam Blade and Matilda Chesterton. 🇦🇺🤺

Current World Rankings:
• Sam Blade — 50th in Men’s Category A Sabre and 84th in Men’s Category A Épée
• Matilda Chesterton — 56th in Women’s Category A Sabre

Matilda will be competing on the 20th, and Sam will compete on the 21st and 22nd.

Wishing both athletes the very best as they take to the piste in Thailand and represent Australia with pride. 💛💚🤺

@sydney_para_fencing

#korat2025 #whereabilitywins #teamnswis #wheelchairfencing #parafencing #fencing

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