Section 5 of 6Event History
New Hanster Epee Open 4.0 · Section 5 of 6
Event History
Origin Story
What's in a Name? • The New Hanster Story
Now in its 4th year, the University New Hanster Open started as a fencing birthday party for Coach Mike and has grown into one of Central Florida's most anticipated fencing events!
Prior Winners
2024: PETER IRWIN - Florida Fencing Academy2024: IVAN GORIUNOV - South Florida Fencing Club
2023: CHRISTOPHER ENG - Peter Westbrook Foundation
From Birthday Party to A2 Tournament
What began as a surprise showdown of local fencers became an A2-rated tournament drawing competitors from across the state.
The Journey:- Year 1: A birthday surprise with local fencers
- Year 2: Word spread - doubled in size
- Year 3: Achieved A2 rating, introduced Hanscalibur!
Mission
Grow the sport in Florida while building lasting community connections.This event welcomes all fencers of any skill level to compete, connect, and celebrate the sport we love.
Why "New Hanster"?
The tournament is named after Coach Mike's now fabled fake/not-so-fake fencing club: "University New Hanster". The quirky name came about during a miscommunication that led to the accidental registration of a non-existent club and has become a beloved part of Central Florida fencing culture.
2026: A New Chapter
This year marks a significant milestone - Fencing.Community's first sponsored event!
By partnering with Fencing.Community, we're able to offer:
- ✅ Exclusive member discounts
- ✅ Bigger event lineup
- ✅ More custom awards
You Asked, We Listened
After surveying 2025 participants, we heard you loud and clear:
What you wanted:- Team events ✅
- Unique awards ✅
- Younger age divisions ✅