Benjamin Bratton

Bratton celebrates victory at World Championships.

Benjamin Bratton.

---

This file may be deleted after Wednesday, 13 October 2010.

Benjamin Bratton (born June 18, 1985) is an American epee fencing champion, and mentor at the Peter Westbrook Foundation.

Biography

Bratton was born in Queens, New York and is the oldest child of Deborah Hanson and Dwight Bratton. Stemming from the working class neighborhood of Richmond Hill, a young Ben Bratton was often pushed by his mother into a multitude of sports, hoping to keep Benjamin away from the trouble and distractions of an inner city neighborhood.

As coworkers, Deborah became aquainted with American Saber Champion and 1984 Olympic Bronze medalist 'Peter Westbrook'. Having recently created the Peter Westbrook Foundation, Westbrook invited Benjamin to participate in his Saturday Fencing Program along with the PWF Acadmeic Enrichment Program to be taught by himself and other fencing olympians. Benjamin would gravitate to the sport almost instantly.

"I was immediately intoxicated by fencing. I was amazed by the way fencers moved and looked on the strip. It was an incredible experience to be taught by people who went to the Olympic games. At that time, a goal like that wasn't even fathomable for me. I just copied the teachers there when I saw them fencing. Before time I was one of the strongest in my class."

Early Fencing career

Youth Fencing

Bratton quickly demonstrated an understanding and passion for fencing. His fencing soon caught the attention of Peter Westbrook and Dr. Aladar Koegler. Bratton was invited to practice weekdays in group and private lessons at the New York Fencers Club. Despite the financial toll fencing had on his family, Bratton continued to train and compete in the national youth circuit.

Cadet & Junior Circuit

From 2002-2007 Bratton trained with Hungarian coach Kornel Udvarheyli. It was under Udvarheyli’s coaching that Bratton made the first of his nine World Championship appearances. Bratton earned a Bronze medal and became the first African American Men’s Epeeist to final at world championships.

Following his success in Antalya, Bratton placed 5th at the 2003 Junior World Championships in Trapani Italy.

NCAA's & College Fencing

In 2003 Bratton was awarded a full athletic scholarship and signed with St. Johns University. St. Johns fencing alumni include Olympians: Keeth Smart, Ivan Lee, and Jonathan Tiomkin.

Under the guidance of Red Storm’s head coach Yuri Gelman, Bratton successfully balanced academics with his athletic aspirations. As a result he became a three time All American.