For Immediate Release Mike Black The Ictus Initiative 508-847-3227 mike@ictusinitiative.com Jeff Bukantz Inducted into JCC MetroWestJewish Sports Hall of Fame   Livingston, NJ: August 3, 2004- OInternational fencing medallist Jeff Bukantz was inducted into the JCC MetroWest Jewish Sports Hall of Fame last night at the Crestmont Country Club in West Orange. Bukantz, among five other distinguished individuals, was honored as part of the first inaugural class. The induction ceremony recognized and commended Bukantz's accomplishments in the sport of fencing. Dan Bukantz, Jeff's father, introduced his son at the awards dinner. "My proudest moment in fencing history was when my son Jeffery was named captain of the U.S. Olympic team and subsequently elected to the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. It took knowledge, ability and much effort by Jeff to achieve such richly deserved honors to crown our family's Olympic history." Bukantz has excelled in the world of athletics both as a competitor and referee. He was a member of the U.S. team at the 1987 Pan American Games, where he won a bronze medal in men's team foil; at the 1981 World University Games and the 1983 & 1987 World Championships. Bukantz captured the gold medal at the World Maccabiah Games in 1985 and 1989. He has been a starting member of the U.S. National Foil Team Champions in eight separate campaigns as well as an internationally rated referee. He served as Captain for the 2003 Junior World Championships in Trapani, Itay; the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, and the 2003 Senior World Championships in Havana. Bukantz was appointed Captain for the 2004 U. S. Olympic Fencing Team that will compete in Athens, Greece later this summer. "My election into the N.J. Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is a dream come true and should be a great incentive to every athlete. It is a lesson in perseverance, as I was an overweight and under-talented athlete who was only the fourth best fencer on my high school team. With an eye on doing the impossible, which was what my father had done, I dedicated myself to doing the best I could do," said Bukantz. "Although daunting at times, I enjoyed the journey, which is the most important thing, because you can't appreciate the effort if you focus only on the destination. Of course, reaching this destination and being elected into the NJJSHOF is quite humbling, and I'm so proud to have carried on the Bukantz legacy." Candidates for the JCC MetroWest Jewish Sports Hall of Fame are required to be Jewish and either a native or current resident of the MetroWest community, which includes Essex, Morris and parts of Union County. They must be an outstanding amateur or professional athlete or coach, or have contributed significantly to the world of sports through a related field or profession. For more information on Jeff Bukantz, please contact Mike Black at 508-847-3227 or visit www.jeffbukantz.com.   ###