Youssef Shamel wins epee national title at fencing championships
He ended his debut season by becoming the first Tar Heel to win a men’s fencing national championship in 43 years.
For the first time in 43 years, Carolina crowned an individual national champion in men’s fencing on Sunday. First-year Youssef Shamel won the epee national title in South Bend, Indiana, by defeating Kruz Schembri of the University of Notre Dame, 15-7. Shamel is the second national champion in program history.
“Youssef is one of the kindest and most enthusiastic people, both in our program and in life,” Carolina head coach Matt Jednak said. “His work ethic is amazing. I am so glad that he had the opportunity not only to compete here but also to do well. I’m excited for him and what’s next for him.”
Shamel has only been on campus for three months and has already made history. He started his Carolina career by being named the Atlantic Coast Conference Fencer of the Week, and his list of accolades grew from there. Shamel introduced himself to the wider fencing world when he won the ACC championship and was also named the conference’s most valuable fencer.
After the conference championships, the team headed to Haverford, Pennsylvania, for the Mid-Atlantic/South Regional as Shamel punched his ticket to the national championships by becoming the first ever regional champion for the Tar Heels.
On day two of the NCAAs, Shamel continued to win. But, as the day progressed, the race for the coveted final spot in the top four grew tighter. Shamel battled with the reigning national champion, Mo Elsayed from Long Island University, and Shamel took him down, earning a spot in the semifinals.
Elsayed and Youseff faced off again in the semifinals, and Shamel emerged victorious, as he jumped out to a 6-2 lead and then closed out on a 9-5 run to punch his ticket to the finals, winning 15-7.
The finals were a rematch between Shamel and Schembri, an Olympian and Notre Dame first-year. As in the conference finals, Shamel prevailed. Shamel started strong, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Shamel kept extending his margin, although Schembri cut it to 10-6. Shamel then closed with a 5-1 run to win 15-7.
Shamel is the first Carolina fencer to win both a national title and an ACC championship.
In men’s foil, Peter Bruk finished tied for third, matching the best finish by a Tar Heel in NCAA championship history in the event. Thanks to that effort, Bruk is bringing home First-Team All-America honors.
As a team, the Carolina men finished seventh with 43 points.
