Parafencing
The United States has only won 3 medals in Paralympic fencing history. The foundation is raising money to promote parafencing and develop athletes who can compete at all levels of competitions including the Paralympics. Many people with disabilities do not have the funding to compete nor dedicated space to train at their sport. In 2020, DFF partnered with United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee to create a dedicated space inside the center of the Denver Fencing Center. This World Class training center has let the DFF athletes to dominate at USA Fencing National events.
The foundation has created a comprehensive program that provide scholarships to our parafencers with financial need. Denver Fencing Foundation also supports competitive athletes with equipment, entry fees, and some travel costs.
Parafencing Explained
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Denver Fencing Center Class Information
Parafencing (short for “parallel fencing”) is the competitive version of our sport for athletes of various abilities.
Athletes living with conditions that impact their ability to fence on two feet are invited to try parafencing. Participants do not have to be full-time wheelchair users to participate! Many Parafencers can stand and walk, but participate in Parafencing due to other medical conditions, such as limb loss, difference in leg length, impaired muscle power, spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, and stroke survivors.
Denver Fencing Center offers instruction in all three weapons. We welcome current athletes and complete beginners! Our Parafencing program coach is Haley Ward, a certified Parafencing coach since 2005.
Checkout our videos ahead of time so you know what to expect. Watch our roll through tour of the facility and an explanation about the fencing chairs.
Your first week is free!
All equipment is provided for beginners.
Tuesdays: 6:00-7:00 pm Foil
Wednesdays: 6:00-7:00 pm Epee
Thursdays 6:00-7:00 pm Sabre
Team Photos
(Left to Right) Jillian Kosanovich, Terre Engdahl, Coach Haley Ward, Scott Rodgers PLY, James Downing, Jataya Taylor and Kahara (Service Dog).
Jataya Taylor and Jillian Kosanovich dueling the finals of 2022 North American Cup in Minneapolis in Women’s Epee. Jillian won 15-14! These DFF supported fencers made the finals in both foil and epee. Photo Credit: Serge Timacheff/2022
(Left to Right) Coach Haley Ward, Scott Rodgers PLY, and Jataya Taylor. At the 2023 Terni, Italy World Championships.
2024 Parafencing Nationals Salt Lace City.
(Left to Right)
Top Row: Scott Rodgers PLY, James Downing, Frank Cane, Coach Haley Ward, Head Coach DFC Nathan Anderson
Bottom Row: Jillian Kosanovich, Terre Engdahl, Jataya Taylor, and Sam Long.
Paris 2024 Paralympics.
(Left to Right) Joe Guida, Coach Haley Guida, Jataya Taylor PLY, Head Coach DFC Nathan Anderson, and Parents Kevin and Laura Taylor .