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Team USA Welcomes Three New Paralympians as Byron Branch, Victoria Isaacson, and Jataya Taylor Shine in Individual Foil Competition

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by Nicole Kirk

PARIS, France - Three more members of Team USA became newly minted Paralympians as Byron Branch, Victoria Isaacson, and Jataya Taylor all took to the strip on September 4 for the individual foil competition.

2020 Paralympian Ellen Geddes fell to Doloh (UKR) in the Round of 16, but moved on to the repechage rounds, where she earned a bye in the first round. In the second round she battled with Khetsuriani (GEO), and finished the day in 10th place.

Branch took on teammate Garrett Schoonover in the opening bout of the Round of 32. Branch moved on to the Round of 16 where he ultimately fell to Lambertinin (ITA). In the first round of repechage he faced Lam Watson (GBR), where he fell 15-7.

Branch said “making it to Paris, you know, being in this great city and being able to participate as a Paralympian now, was awesome.” 

Looking ahead to the team competition he said “everything will just be just cool, calm and collected. I know what I'm getting into. I know what to expect. We fence Brazil as a team so many times like I know how they fence. I know what to look for, so I'm gonna talk with the boys, try and come up with a game plan, something that I think will be really effective for us. And you know, try and try medal at the team event.”

In the Women’s Foil Category A rounds, Taylor opened strong with a dominant win over Baek (KOR), 15-5. She then had to fence Yu Cy (HKG), the number three seed of the tournament. Falling in the Round of 16, Taylor entered the rounds of repechage where she faced Morkvych (UKR). 

At the end of the day Taylor said “I'll wait to hear what Coach says. Otherwise, just have fun and imagine where I want my tip to go.


Full September 4 Results for Team USA #

Men’s Foil Individual - Category A 

Round of 32 #

Garrett Schoonover lost to Branch (USA), 15-3

Byron Branch def. Garrett Schoonover (USA), 15-3

Round of 16 #

Byron Branch lost to Lambertini (ITA), 15-5

Repechage Round 1 #

Byron Branch vs. Lam Watson (GBR), 15-7
 

Women’s Foil Individual - Category A #

Round of 32 #

Jataya Taylor def. Baek (KOR), 15-5

Round of 16 #

Victoria Isaacson lost to Mogos (ITA), 15-0

Jataya Taylor lost to Yu Cy (HKG), 15-10

Repechage Round 1 #

Victoria Isaacson lost to Fan (HKG), 15-3

Jataya Taylor lost to Morkvych (UKR), 15-1

Women’s Foil Individual - Category B #

Round of 16 #

Ellen Geddes lost to Doloh (UKR), 15-11

Repechage Round 1 #

Bye

Repechage Round 2 #

Ellen Geddes lost to Khetsuriani (GEO), 15-6


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