If you are an interested parent or have just finished a fencing class yourself, and need more information on Fencing:  Here is a great little book to continue your interest in the sport.

“Fencing: Steps To Success” Author Elaine Cheris

email chris@swordfightersaustralia.com to enquire about one!

Or Download the order form: Fencing Book Order Form

Fencing is a sport where refereeing is Ultimately important and ‘interpretation’ is fundamental to the match decision….
All 3 weapons have their unique technical points ( and are taught to include them ).
Here is one of them for Foil courtesy of Youtube:  Link 
The definitions / interpretations may have changed over the years.

What is yours for this one? ! 

For those who need to know the answer : Link as defined by Techneical Directoire  Mr Ioan Popp.

There are a number of Fencing clips now available via the web, and you may have found it difficult to find examples prior to the ability of “being able to broadcast yourself”… now it seems anyone can do it!
Good examples (previous example shown here) and others…unfortunately can be seen….
For discerning viewers, A Qualified Coach is a good person to ask if your not sure. 

Inspiration of National Champions:

Following is an amalgamation / analysis of the Answers….
 
Dependant on where you started fencing (3 came from China) there are a range of ages when all started fencing, thus there is no perfect age to start fencing…anyone can win!.
All have roughly 10 years of competitive fencing, and most have won Nationals prior to 2008.
The Belief in Winning the Nationals: Practice, preparation and mental strength, belief in yourself, doing thorough footwork and being mentally prepared.
Inspiration: A couple of boxers and influential figures (U.S President Barak Obama) and guardians.

Most will take a break at the end of the season…. Working to pay the way for competitions etc.
International competitions should be the aim, but you’ll only improve if all the required preparation is done, fitness and mental preparation – preparing to win.
Words of Wisdom: Train hard, don’t get hit, self confidence and belief, practice basics at beginning and end of session, read and learn from other champions, hard work and discipline, train hard then harder… a common theme.
A description of fencing in a word: Fencing is a metaphor for life, its in the blood, its fun, its discipline.

Thanks once again to all the 6 Australian National Champions of 2008:
E. Halls, Z. Casagrande, Y. Ping, Z. Huang, S. Leitch, M. Du. 
 
Christmas Gifts - Birthday Presents; Gift Voucher World is the place

Inspiration of National Champions:

Instalment number 6 : Min Yi Du Winner of Open Womens Sabre 2008

1. Why did you start Fencing?
A: As you may know, I started fencing in China, where personal choice then was not really an option. I was simply selected for the sport by a coach. It would be appropriate to say that fencing chose me.

2. How many years have you been fencing?
A: 30 years

3. What was your inspiration for winning the 2008 National Fencing Championships?
A: Because I have a competitive desire, to be the best at anything I do. Maybe it is a kind of neurosis, I am not sure.

4. Now (that you won this year) what are your future aspirations?
A: Maybe to be well placed or even win an international individual competition.

5. Why do you believe you won?
A: Well, I had put in a lot of hard work perhaps a little more than others. My training regime is quite strict and fencing in every sense is a part of my life. I suppose when you are that committed to anything I believe success naturally follows.

6. Who would you like to meet? (As an Inspiration to you?)
A: Muhammed Ali, I am impressed with his determination and self confidence.

7. What’s next for you in 2008? (Training, Break, Work?)
A:Perhaps a little break from training and more time for recreational fitness exercise.

8. What comps will you do (International) if any in 2009?
A: All the national competitions and at least one international

9. Can you give us some words of wisdom for future Australian champions?
A: Read as much as you can about the Autobiography of Champion athletes. Their stories are often inspiring and can teach a lot about determination, self confidence, self belief etc. Again, Muhammad Ali is a case in point. Believe in yourself.

10. If you could sum up Fencing in one word, what would it be?
A: Fencing is a metaphor to life.

Thanks So Much Min Yi Du, 

Inspiration of National Champions:

Instalment number 5 : Simon Leitch Winner of Open Mens Sabre 2008 
 
1. Why did you start Fencing?
A:I saw it advertised at a local PCYC and went along with some friends from school.  Before i knew what had happened they got me with their jedi mind trick and had me fencing at other clubs as well…..resistance was futile…
 
2. How many years have you been fencing?
A:About 13 years, but that clumsy stuff i did for the first 4 years can hadly be considered ‘fencing’. 
 
3. What was your inspiration for winning the 2008 National Fencing Championships?
A: If i won a friend was going to buy me a Hungry jack’s Ultimate Double Whopper….i still have not received it and im getting pretty annoyed just thinking about it.
 
4. Now (that you won this year) what are your future aspirtations? 
A: In 2002 we won a sliver medal in team sabre at commonwealth championships and i always hoped we could improve on that one day.
 
5. Why do you believe you won?
A: I trained much harder than anyone else for the last 10 years very consistently, and in the lead up to the competition i was able to prepare myself physically despite having hand surgery and a broken bone or two.
 
6. Who would you like to meet? (As an Inspiration to you?)
A: George Foreman
 
7. Whats next for you in 2008? (Training, Break, Work?)
A: Got to go back to work and train for some boxing competitions early next year.   

8. What comps will you do (International) if any in 2009?
A: Not sure, even the mention of international competition is making me feel pain in my wallet, as impossible as that may seem.  

9. Can you give us some words of wisdom for future Australian champions?
A: Practice the basics at the start, middle and end of a session, because the person who can do the basics faster, stronger and with better timing usually wins.  

10. If you could sum up Fencing in one word, what would it be?
A: Supercalafrickingawesome  

Thanks So Much Simon,

Keep an eye out for more instalments

Inspiration of National Champions 

Instalment number 4 : Zhen ‘Harry’ Huang Winner of Open Mens Foil 2008

1. Why did you start Fencing?
A: I had been picked up at my school by the fencing coach
 
2. How many years have you been fencing?
A: I have been fencing 13 years
 
3. What was your inspiration for winning the 2008 National Fencing Championships?
A: I just concentrated on every single point.
 
4. Now (that you won this year) what are your future aspirtations? 
A: I’ll try to do my best to win it again.
 
5.Why do you believe you won?
A: Because I am hungry to be the champion.
 
6. Who would you like to meet? (As an Inspiration to you?)
A: I wanted to meet Joe and Frank, they are strong fencers in Australia.
 
7. What’s next for you in 2008? (Training, Break, Work?)
A: I felt I am not fit enough.  I need more training to keep fit for next year.  

8. What comps will you do (International) if any in 2009?
A: I am not fit enough, I cant go to International comps at the moment.  
 
9. Can you give us some words of wisdom for future Australian champions?
A: Ambition. Hunger.

10. If you could sum up Fencing in one word, what would it be?
A: Resourcefulness

Thanks Harry, 

Keep an eye out for more instalments

Inspiration of National Champions:

Instalment number 3 : Yuan Ping Winner of Open Womens Foil 2008
 
1. Why did you start Fencing?
A: I started doing basketball because I was selected by the basketball teacher, but then a fencing teacher found me and asked if I was interested in fencing.  I enjoyed the challenge of fencing and it seemed a “gentleman” sport.

2. How many years have you been fencing?
A: 12 years

3. What was your inspiration for winning the 2008 National Fencing Championships?
A: I had come to NZ to help coach at Hutt Valley Fencing Club and Susan (my Host) suggested I should fence and try to win the Australian Championship. 

4. Now (that you won this year) what are your future aspirations? 
A: I want to attend the Asian Championships in 2010 and maybe in 2012 I want to attend the Olympic Games in London.

5. Why do you believe you won?
A: 12 years of hard work in China for 9 hours a day, six days a week.  I was focused during the competition on what I would need to do to beat each of my opponents.  And I ate a banana for breakfast.

6. Who would you like to meet? (As an Inspiration to you?)
A: My Mum.  I miss her.

7. What’s next for you in 2008? (Training, Break, Work?)
A: I travel tomorrow to Auckland to help coach some fencers there for a couple of weeks. 

8. What comps will you do (International) if any in 2009?
A: One or two Australian competitions, depending on my finances.

9. Can you give us some words of wisdom for future Australian Champions?
A: Train hard and don’t get hit.

10. If you could sum up Fencing in one word, what would it be?
A: Fun (and a challenge).

Thanks So Much Yuan Ping.

Keep an eye out for other instalments… 

Inspiration of National Champions 

Instalment number 2 : Zac Casagrande Winner of Open Mens Epee 2008
 
1. Why did you start Fencing?
A:  I had always wanted to try it but didn’t get the opportunity until my second year of university. The beginner’s course was cheap so I thought, why not? 
 
2. How many years have you been fencing?
A:  About 12 years.
  
3. What was your inspiration for winning the 2008 national fencing championships?
A:  Quite simply, from the first time I went to nationals in 1997 I have wanted to be the epee champion. I like to win.
 
4. Now (that you won this year) what are your future aspirations? 
A:  Keep winning competitions. Make the Australian team for Commonwealth Fencing Championships (2010). Qualify for the Olympics (2012)
 
5. Why do you believe you won?
A:  Hard work, experience and being in the right frame of mind for the competition. 
 
6. Who would you like to meet? (as an inspiration to you?)
A:   John Eales, former Australian rugby union captain (I have actually met him, it was great).

 7. Whats next for you in 2008? (training, break, work?)
A:  Straight back to work (need to pay the mortgage). Back to training this Saturday. Small break for Christmas. 

8. What comps will you do (international) if any in 2009?
A:  If I could afford it, I’d do the world cup events in the middle east and Europe. Unfortunately, I cant’ afford it, so I will likely do ‘Challenge Australia’ (provided it occurs) and Asian Championships in Qatar (provided I make the team).

9. Can you give us some words of wisdom for future Australian champions?
A:  There is no substitute for hard work and determination. 

10. If you could sum up fencing in one word, what would it be?
A:  Discipline 
 
Thanks So Much Zac,

Keep an eye out for more installments

Sword Fighters Australia brings to you a series of Interviews with the

Open National Fencing Champions of 2008 (Sydney).

Entitled : Inspiration of National Champions

Instalment number 1 : Evelyn Halls Winner of Open Womens Epee 2008

1. Why did you start Fencing?
Evelyn’s Answer: I started fencing when i was at primary school. My sister (Jo) was keen to take up the sport but there were not enough students interested for the class to go ahead - until my parents volunteered me!
 
2. How many years have you been fencing?
A:. I should decline to answer that question on the grounds that it makes me feel really old - however, I will say the answer is a number larger than 20!
 
3. What was your inspiration for winning the 2008 National Fencing Championships?
A:. I have only returned to fencing in the last month or so (after taking 14 months off) and only have time to train once a week. My inspiration was to prove to myself that i could still be competitive and to win my first national title since my daughter Gabriella was born!
 
4. Now (that you won this year) what are your future aspirations? 
A:. The demands of my job and looking after my daughter mean that my future aspirations for fencing are likely to be minimal. At the moment, I am just happy for fencing to be a part of my life again.
 
5. Why do you believe you won?
A:. I think that I managed to use my skills of distance and timing effectively and made very few mistakes (which fortunately made up for my lack of fitness!). Also, I couldn’t have won without the support of my husband Peter in encouraging me to start fencing again and looking after Gabby during my competition.
 
6. Who would you like to meet? (As an Inspiration to you)
 A:. There is no one in particular I would like to meet. In a fencing sense, I always love watching the great epeeists - in particular, Pavel Kolobkov. More generally, I would be interested to meet Barack Obama - to discover what he is like behind the public persona.
 
7. What’s next for you in 2008? (Training, Break, Work?)
A:  Next for me is work, work and more work!! I’m also looking forward to celebrating Christmas with Gabby, now she is starting to understand what it’s all about.
 
8. What comp’s will you do (International) if any in 2009?
A:  I’m unlikely to do any international competitions next year. It’s possible I might decide to go to the World Cup in China in May. The main problem is that I find it too hard to leave Gabby, even for a weekend!
 
9. Can you give us some words of wisdom for future Australian champions?
A: My advice to future Australian champions is to train hard. And then train harder. Also, to figure out what it is you want from fencing, and what role it should play in your life. My advice to those with international aspirations is that you don’t need to go overseas to become a good fencer - there is plenty of work which can be done right here at home.
 
10. If you could sum up Fencing in one word, what would it be?
A:  Fencing is in my blood (and in Gabby’s too!) - not one word, i know!

Thanks EvelynKeep an eye out for other installments.. 

July 2008 [17]

Counter Parry Riposte

Definition; An attack that follows the parry of an opponents’ riposte.

Intent: The intent is to parry the attack and hit with your riposte.  One of the most important facets of fencing is a planned or second intention response.  CPP is a classic example.

Practice: Lunge at target (board or training opponent), and remain in Lunge position, then practice a Parry and Riposte, vary the type of Parry.   The Lunge is purposefully performed to get a reaction so must be threatening in intent.

Tip: Its all timing and distance.  Judge the lunge and remain balanced to parry and riposte at the correct distance.