🇺🇸 REIGNING CHAMPIONS USA LOCK DOWN FOURTH CONSECUTIVE PAN AMERICAN EPEE TITLE

LIMA, PERU — 20 JUNE 2026

The United States’ World number two Team USA provided a masterclass in defensive resilience and clutch execution on the sixth and final day of the 2026 Pan American Fencing Championships, capturing the women’s team epee crown. Competing in Lima, the clinical American squad methodically dismantled their closest continental rivals Canada 41–31 in a highly strategic gold medal bout to secure their fourth consecutive Pan American team title.

The golden victory caps off a dominant individual and team cycle for the United States programme. Meanwhile, Canada walked away with a hard-earned silver medal, marking a remarkable fifth consecutive time they have secured the second step of the continental podium. World number 26 Venezuela won a thrilling play-off to return to the medal circle for the first time since 2022, leaving World number 32 Chile in a commendable fourth place.

Path to the Podium

Team USA, who lined up with Hadley Husisian, Catherine Nixon, Charlene Liu and Tierna Oxenreider, received an initial first-round bye before easily turning aside Peru 45–29. They maintained their defensive focus in the quarter-finals, suffocating Mexico 37–21 in a low-scoring affair.

In their semi-final match against Venezuela, the Americans encountered a stubborn defensive structure. The teams sat deadlocked at 6–6 after the opening three legs, prompting the US coaching staff to make a decisive tactical change by subbing in Oxenreider for Liu. The substitution immediately paid dividends as the USA sparked a run to open up a 13–10 advantage after six legs, comfortably managing the clock to secure a low-scoring but routine 24–15 victory.

The gold medal match against Canada was an exhibition of calculated patience. The Americans took their time during the opening exchanges, establishing a steady 10–6 cushion across the first three legs before stretching that lead to 22–15 after six. Looking to conserve energy and manage risks, the Canadian athletes elected to play an exceptionally cautious game through the seventh and eighth legs, putting all their hopes on anchor Julia Yin to mount a monumental final-leg comeback. Yin fought valiantly, going toe-to-toe with American anchor Husisian in an explosive 10–10 scoring shootout but the early American cushion proved decisive as the USA wrapped up a 41–31 win.

Team Canada, represented by Nicole Xuan, Julia Yin, Alexanne Verret and Ruien Xiao, safely marched into the final to extend their historic silver medal streak. Following a first-round bye, the World number 12 squad dismantled Jamaica 45–20 and out-pointed Argentina 45–27 in the quarter-finals.

They booked their spot in the final after navigating a tough, physical semi-final battle against Chile. Canada edged a tight opening third to lead 15–13 and carefully protected that identical two-touch margin to lead 29–27 after six legs. The gap remained exactly two points heading into the final leg when Chile’s Analia Fernandez launched an aggressive, all-out assault to save her team's tournament. The sudden burst of activity opened up the strip beautifully for the Canadians, allowing Yin to exploit the space and anchor Canada home to a 45–38 victory.

Team Venezuela, fielding a veteran roster of Lizzie Asis, Maria Martinez, Eliana Lugo and Betyumil Posada, celebrated an emotion-filled afternoon by returning to the Pan American team podium for the first time since winning the tournament title in 2022. The Venezuelans opened with a hard-fought 41–34 victory over Paraguay before squeezing past World number 27 Brazil 22–21 in an absolute quarter-final defensive chess match.

Following their semi-final loss to the USA, Venezuela engaged in a breathless point-for-point battle against Chile for the bronze medal. Venezuela held a slender 9–7 advantage after the opening three legs but a spirited Chilean comeback leveled the match at 23–23 after six. The definitive turning point arrived in the eighth leg when Posada produced a brilliant, clutch 8–4 scoring run against Marianne Frindt, catapulting Venezuela into a 31–27 lead with just two fights remaining. The Venezuelan athletes maintained their composure beautifully through the final legs to seal a 44–41 victory.

Team Chile, consisting of Analia Fernandez, Ignacia Cifuentes, Marianne Frindt and Paula Vasquez, put together an exceptional tournament path to secure fourth place. The result marks Chile's first top-four finish at the Pan American Championships since 2017. The underdogs pulled off a brilliant 41–39 quarter-final upset over World number 25 Colombia before fighting down to the wire in consecutive matches against Canada and Venezuela.

Full results are here.