USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In Men's Epee team competition on Monday at the 2023 Pan-American Senior Championships in Peru, Team USA's semifinal bout against Colombia ended after a red card shown to Team USA gave Colombia the 45th and decisive touch. 

After that 45th touch, Team USA fencer Curtis McDowald OLY kicked and damaged a freestanding banner near the strip, among other actions.

These actions resulted in the awarding of a black card to Team USA, which nullified the results of the semifinal bout, excluding Team USA from the remainder of the men's epee team competition at the tournament. Team USA was not permitted to fence in the bronze medal match. Additionally, Team USA was not given a finishing position at the tournament and will be awarded zero qualifying points for the Paris Olympics. 

We are disappointed by Curtis's actions and regret that they have harmed Team USA's chances of fielding a men's epee team for the 2024 Olympics. Following a hearing, Curtis has been formally removed from the Pan-American Championships team pending potential further review after the tournament. He will not be eligible to fence at the 2023 Fencing World Championships in Milan, Italy.

The hill that our men's epee team must climb to qualify for Paris has now become much steeper. We are determined to focus on supporting these athletes and their coaches as they continue to pursue this Olympic dream.

As we turn toward Milan 2023 and beyond, we ask our members to provide their support to our Men’s Epee team. We move forward, together.