The three fencers were selected to represent Canada and the CF at this elite level competition based on their excellent results from this current fencing season.  Ocdt Prymack was the 2005 Men's Foil OUA Champion and had a 26^th place finish at a Junior World Cup in January.  He was voted male MVP for the RMC Men's Team, winner of the RMC Award for Top First Year Athlete-Cadet, and was also winner of the Mâitre Ken Wood Trophy for Men's Foil.  Ocdt Jones' achievements include; Captain of her OUA Gold Women's Sabre Team, meeting selection criteria to be invited to join the Canadian Fencing Federation's (CFF) National High Performance Program, winner the RMC Award for Top Third Year Athlete-Cadet, and member of the RMC Team of the Year that captured the OUA Women's Banner.  Ocdt Lafortune has several awards and trophies to her name as well.  She was an OUA double gold medalist in both team and individual women's foil, Ontario Provincial Champion, MVP for the RMC women's team and RMC Female Athlete of the Year, Top Fourth Year Athlete-Cadet, Prince of Wales Trophy for top performance in all four RMC pillars (military, academic, bilingualism and athleticism), and Team of the Year recipient for the OUA Banner. 

The best Team Canada performance at the World Championships came from nineteen-year-old Alex Prymack, originally from Calgary Alberta.  Ocdt Prymack was successful in beating seven competitors from five different countries and finished 21^st overall out of 27 competitors.  His victory scores were as follows: 5/1 vs Gonzales of Columbia, 5/0 vs Tibaduiza of Columbia, 5/1 vs Restrepo of Columbia, 5/4 Eroen of Turkey, 5/3 vs Ramos of Spain, 5/4 vs Senft of Germany, and 5/4 vs Schuermans of Belgium.  Prymack remained mentally focused and positive throughout this international event and fenced a total of 26 consecutive fencing bouts over the course of the day.  The round robin format demands physical endurance and mental strength both of which Alex demonstrated consistently.  Coaches and delegates from other countries commented on his excellent potential for the future as an up-and-coming young athlete for CISM Fencing.  

In the women's events of foil and sabre the Canadians were up against the same Olympic level competition as in the men's events.  Ocdt Marilyne Lafortune won a solid 5/3 bout against Aculava of Belarus, and lost a close match 4/5 against Silchanka also of Belarus.  The Belarus were the Bronze medal winners of the women's foil team event.  Lafortune fenced well against Damico of Argentina but lost 3/5 and versus Grambassi of Italy she scored two solid hits but eventually lost 2/5.  Overall she finished the tournament in final place at 15^th.

 Ocdt Natalie Jones competed against the worlds best from Italy, Romania and Belarus.  She scored some solid points against four competitors but was unable to

pull out a victory.  Her best bouts were against Lucchino of Italy 2/5 and Ionescu of Romania 2/5 who went on to win the bronze and fourth place respectively.  Overall she finished the tournament in final place at 9^th.  

Canada did not have a team ranking at this event, as it is necessary to have a minimum of two fencers per weapon to achieve a team result.  Fencing solely as individuals was a tough challenge for these young athletes both in warm-ups and in competition.  In the future it would be beneficial to send a contingent, which meets the minimum team criteria, thereby providing the support of a teammate to compete with instead of being placed on a mixed team.  Prymack fenced with one athlete from Spain and one from Argentina. Lafortune fenced with one athlete from Austria and one from Argentina while Jones fenced with the two Italians who went onto claim Gold and Bronze respectively.   These mixed teams however were an excellent opportunity to meet other military athletes and make new connections in fencing. 

All three Canadian fencers were model cadets and ambassadors for Canada.  The experience they gained from participating in an international event, filled with world-class Olympic fencers, will provide a lifetime of lessons and memories.  The RMC cadets were all very well received, by both athletes and delegates of other countries, who were impressed by their comportment, and especially the regal appearance of the RMC scarlet uniforms.  In preparation for the Official Opening Ceremonies, which was eventually canceled out of respect, the cadets were the subject to dozens of photographs as each country wanted to be remembered in a snapshot with the Canadians in red.  With smiles, pride and friendship the cadets happily posed for everyone who asked.  In the closing ceremonies the Canadians stood out among the rest as they proudly stood behind the Canadian flag making its debut at this international celebration of the sport. 

Overall the 40^th World Fencing Championships was a very well run event.  Despite the fact that Italy was coping with the illness and eventual passing away of the Pope, the Aeronautica Militare forged ahead to manage logistical challenges and maintained an incredibly professional and smooth running event.  Accommodations, food, transportation, and communications for all the international participants were of the utmost quality.  Everyone was very well looked after by the Italian Air Force who took great pride in hosting their seventh CISM Fencing World Championships since its inception in 1947. As a country suffering the loss of their beloved Papa they remained at all times accommodating and supportive to everyone involved.  For the Canadian party it was an event they will never forget.  Video and photos of the competition will provide a legacy to Canadian military fencers for the future, and the friendships and connections made with foreign military members, will have a lasting effect on the lives of these young officer cadets. The RMC Fencing Program will benefit from this first CISM experience for years to come and greatly appreciates the support of the RMC Athletic Department and CFPSA.