Australian National Champions 2014 – The Sword Fighter Dozen


Following the tradition of the National Open Champion questionnaire, the 6 2014 Open Champions kindly contributed some answers following their Championship win.

Australian 2014 National Champion: Claire Daniel – Womens Foil Champion.

1: How long have you been Fencing? What made you start? How long did it take for you to feel competent?

A: Fencing was something I wanted to do ever since taking up the violin in primary school. I would play games which involved using the bow to poke my friends in orchestra, this being the upside to not making it to the first desk. I did not realise it was possible to learn fencing in Brisbane until I went to high school in 2003 where it was offered as an afterschool sport. In the first few years I don’t ever remember worrying much about whether I was competent or not, I just enjoyed it.

2: How long have you been Competing at National / International level?

A: My first national competition was the Australian U/15 Championships in 2005. My first international competition was the Junior Commonwealth Championships in Malaysia in 2009.

3: What made you choose your weapon? Have you fenced the other 2?

A: Foil was the weapon we learnt at school and I stuck with it. There were many more girls fencing foil than were fencing sabre or epee in Queensland at the time so state competitions in foil were much more fun. I have fenced the other two for fun at the occasional competition, in particular University games.

4: Where is your favourite place to fence or to train?

A: I very much enjoyed training in Pisa but I have not yet had an opportunity to return. Otherwise a club night in Brisbane when all the foilists come out and we can set up lots of pistes is just fine.

5: How important have a coach and training partners been to you?

A: Good training partners are essential and I improve much more quickly when I can train with someone who forces me to change how I fence in order to win points. The relatively small number of experienced training partners in Brisbane and also across Australia in women’s foil is currently a challenge. My coach has also been very important.

6: What are your future ambitions for 2015 and beyond? work / training / competition?

A: I have been fortunate to win a John Monash Scholarship and with this I am intending to study a master’s course at University College London starting September 2015. The course looks at digital data or ‘big data’ analysis and its applications to town planning. I am also looking forward to the opportunity to access more training partners and a greater variety of competitions that living in London for a year will bring.  Around preparation for this I will continue working and training in Brisbane.

7: Who if anyone have you modelled your fencing on? Or do you have a favourite Fencer (Internationally)?

A: I have modelled my fencing from the input of different coaches I have had rather than an individual fencer. My favourite fencer for many years has been Nam Hyun-Hee of Korea. I also enjoy watching Elisa Di Francisca of Italy and Inna Deriglazova of Russia. 

8: What if any other sports do you play/train?

A: I do not currently play any other sports. I sprint, lift weights and do various other exercises to improve my fitness for fencing.

9: What difference if any did this national event have to others?

A: It was the first national competition for more than five years that my friend Katie also competed in and it is great to have her back.

10: What is your weekly training Regime?

A: I train as much as I can fit in around work. This typically involves two squad sessions and two club sessions a week (which is about all there is available in Brisbane anyway), and three or four separate fitness sessions around that.

11:  What advice would you give future Australian champions?

A: It is not easy to balance full time work with training and competing nationally and internationally. Fencing at any level in Australia, but especially the level required to win national championships let alone compete at international competitions, requires a huge investment in finances, time and emotion. This can be heavy, especially on nights you are tired from work and failing to fence as well as you think you should. It is easy to get upset and frustrated.

At times like this it helped me to talk to my coach and other athletes who had similar experiences. With the onset of frustration it helped to go back to the simple things that I could still do well and enjoy in order to build confidence before attempting to deal with the more complicated situation again. On nights it was really bad it helped to accept that it was okay to take time out.

12: What is the best / worst thing about Fencing in Australia?

A: The best thing about fencing in Australia is the great attitude towards training and the passion Australian fencers have for their sport in general, as non-professional athletes we are almost all here because we love it. The worst thing about fencing in Australia is, as always, the long distances to travel and the isolation from the rest of the world.

 

Thanks so much Claire..



Australian Veteran Champions 2014 Questionnaire


Following the tradition of the National Open Champion questionnaire,

the 6 2014 Veteran Champions kindly contributed some answers following their Championship win. 

Australian 2014 National Veteran Champion: 

Abby Nutt Womens Epee.

1: How long have you been Fencing?

A. 1982 when I started high school as they had fencing at my school.

What made you start? 

A. My brother Nigel was already fencing and he used to come home and practice on me with sticks. My goal was to start fencing so I could beat him. I still haven’t reached my goal. Got close this year with a 5-4 result.

How long did it take for you to feel competitive? 

A. Probably straight from the start! 

2: How long have you been Competing at National / International level? 

A. I started fencing Nationally when I was about 13 or 14. Internationally was after I finished school in 1988/88.

3: What made you choose your weapon? 

A. When I was about 13 or 14 they brought the ruling in that girls could fence épée from the age of 15 so I started as soon as I could. I fenced both foil and épée for many years until my coach said I should choose one weapon to excel in so I chose épée. You don’t have to rely on a good referee to get hit. 

Have you fenced the other 2?

A.  I still fence foil in national Vet competitions and occasionally at other times. 

4: Where is your favourite place to fence or to train?

A:  Macquarie University Fencing Club.

5: How important is competition in Australia for you?

A:   Very. I love competition. I fence differently in competition than in training. Competition makes you more determined to do well.

6: What are your ambitions for 2015 and beyond? Travel / competition?

A: I would like to do well in the Open national events as I’m recovering from an elbow injury which took me out of competition for close to 2 years. I would like to compete at more overseas veteran competitions including the next Commonwealth Veteran Championships and ultimately I would like to compete and do well at World Veterans when I am old enough.

7: Do you have a favourite location to fence (National/Internationally)?

A:  Nationally I really like fencing in Canberra. It’s a great venue and they run the competition well. Internationally I like going to places I haven’t been before.

8: What if any other cross training activities do you play/train?

A:  I play soccer and touch footy. I’m also a member at my local gym.

11: What advice would you give veteran Australians?

A:   Keep fencing. Doesn’t matter how old you are. You don’t have to be overly competitive if you don’t want to. Fence for the enjoyment of it.

12: What is the best / worst thing about Veteran Fencing in Australia?

A:  Best – very friendly people. Worst – not enough women fencing.

 

Thanks very much Abby !

 



Australian National Champions 2014 – The Sword Fighter Dozen


Following on the tradition of the National Champion questionsairre, the 6 Open 2014 Champions kindly contributed some answer following their Championship win.

“The Sword Fighter Dozen”

Australian 2014 National Champion: Seamus Robinson – Mens Epee Champion.

1: How long have you been Fencing? What made you start? How long did it take for you to feel competent?

A: Almost 30 years. About 6 months to feel competent. 

2: How long have you been Competing at National / International level?

A: 25 years. 

3: What made you choose your weapon?, have you fenced the other 2?

A: Its the most realistic and natural as well as free. Also Foil. 

4: Where is your favourite place to fence or to train?

A: Germany.

5: How important have a coach and training partners been to you?

A: Essential.

6: What are your future ambitions for 2015 and beyond? work / training / competition?

A: To compete at Asian and World Champs 

7: Who if anyone have you modeled your fencing on? Or do you have a favourite Fencer (Internationally)?

A: Kolobkov, German and Russian fencing schools.

8: What if any other sports do you play/train?

A: Running, body weight exercises, cycling, skateboarding.

9: What difference if any did this national event have to others?

A: Smaller than the last few.

10: What is your weekly training Regime?

A: Train whenever I have time. 

11:  What advice would you give future Australian champions?

A: Be the first to arrive and last to leave the club, and Fence the hardest Fencers as many times as you can.     
Practice footwork.
Always try to improve.
Go overseas.

12: What is the best / worst thing about Fencing in Australia?

A: Close to friends and family. Far from high level comp and training.

Thanks so much Seamus..



SSDA Sports Day


Bringing Fencing to the Eastern Primary Schools of Melbourne

SSDA Sports Day        SSDA 1 Sports Day



Australian Veteran Champions 2014 Questionnaire


Following the tradition of the National Open Champion questionnaire,

the 6 2014 Veteran Champions kindly contributed some answers following their Championship win. 

Australian 2014 National Veteran Champion: 

Jenny Bonney-Millett –Womens Foil Champion.

 

1: How long have you been Fencing? What made you start? How long did it take for you to feel competitive?

A:  I have been fencing since 1981. Something I had always wanted to do. I was BORN competitive!

2: How long have you been Competing at National / International level?

A: My first national comp was the Australia Day Tournament 1984. Other than the Australian Uni trip to NZ in 1987, my first big international comp was the World Championships in Budapest 1991.

3: What made you choose your weapon? have you fenced the other 2?

A:  I have fenced and competed at various events in all 3 weapons but seriously train and compete in Foil – nothing beats the elegance and class of this weapon.

4: Where is your favourite place to fence or to train?

A: Paris is my home away from home for training! The Racing Club and Tour d’Auvergne are my regulars.

5: How important is competition in Australia for you?

A:  Very important. We need to build an maintain a high standard and generally grow the sport to where it becomes recognised as something Australians actually do.

6: What are your ambitions for 2015 and beyond? Travel / competition?

A: Senior Asians and Worlds and World Vets. For as long as possible.

7: Do you have a favourite location to fence (National/Internationally)?

A: Where the medals are!

8: What if any other cross training activities do you play/train?

A: I run. Lots.

9: What if anything has changed for you as a veteran fencer in 2014?

A: Recognition on the world scene as a really serious contender.

10: What is your weekly training routine/partners etc?

A: 2 club nights a week and 2 squad sessions. With whomever turns up. Not a lot of variety, as everyone does the same thing. 

11: What advice would you give veteran Australians?

A:  Veterans comps are great fun – good fencing and nice people. And definitely a way to keep going with your sport.

12: What is the best / worst thing about Veteran Fencing in Australia?

A: NOT ENOUGH WOMEN!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks very much Jenny !

 



State Veterans Squad – Melbourne Fencing Centre


Training Time: Thursday Nights 6:30-8:30

Any athlete wishing to participate, please contact  chris@swordfightersaustralia.com 

Chris Jones 0409 013 171

 

 

 

 

Session 11th December, come along and join the squad:        Skill:  National Review, c6->c7.

Next Session:   December 18th. [ final session for 2014]

 Here is the list of available Veterans Competitions for this year courtesy of the AFF: Download Veterans Schedule 2014

Also Fencing Victoria has the Calendar online for local competitions this year 

@  6:30  Level 1, 204-206 Arden St North Melbourne.     

Public transport:* by train (closest station is North Melbourne -10 minute walk down Laurens Street)*

by Tram Closest stop is No 15 on Abbotsford Street on route 57 -8 minute walk down Arden Street.


Proudly supporting VicVets…

 

If you’d like any weapons fixed; David Hubbard is in the business of repair : email David 

 

Vic Vets



Fencing Victoria 2015 Calendar


Release of 2015 Fencing Victoria Calendar Link

Calendar download 



Australian National Champions History


Australian Champions History – Doc: Australian Fencing Champions 2014 and Past

The historical list of all the Australian National Champions.



National Veterans Championships 2014


 AFC #4 Australian Veteran National Championships  

A.I.S Indoor Sports Stadium, Canberra ACT

Oceania Veterans Sabre: 1st Radu Vintila NSW, 2nd Min Yi Du NSW (Womens Gold & 50+)

=3rd Mike Howard NSW, =3rd Damian Kneale WA.  Roger Alcock Vic (70+),  Peter Major ACT (60+)  

State Veteran Sabre Teams: 1st NSW A, 2nd WA=3rd NSW B, =3rd ACT.  

Veterans Men’s Epee
: 1st Iain Davidson SA, 2nd Georg Mittermair ACT=3rd David Cook Vic, =3rd Simon Hamm Vic. 

Veterans Women’s Epee
: 1st Abigail Nutt NSW, 2nd Sarah Osvath NSW=3rd Julie Seggie NSW, =3rd Annabelle Slowiaczek NSW. 

State Veteran Epee Teams: 1st ACT, 2nd Vic=3rd NSW ‘A, =3rd NSW ‘B.

Veteran Men’s Foil: 1st Nigel Nutt ACT, 2nd Andrey Tyshchenko NSW=3rd Steve Johnson WA  (50+), =3rd Georg Mittermair SA.   Mark Goile (60+)

Veteran Women’s Foil: 1st Jenny Bonney-Millett Qld, 2nd Fiona Budniak NSW=3rd Maria Kirby SA, =3rd Anna Slowiaczek NSW.

State Veteran Foil Teams: 1st NSW ‘A, 2nd ACT ‘A=3rd Vic, =3rd NSW ‘B.



Australian National Open Championships 2014


AFC #4 Australian National Championships – ACT 5th-9th December

A.I.S Indoor Sports Stadium, Canberra 

Results

Men’s Sabre
: 1st Donghwan Kim NSW, 2nd Sutherlan Scudds WA, =3rd Phillip Miller NSW, =3rd Alexandre Douglas NSW.

Women’s Epee: 1st Sarah Osvath NSW, 2nd Evelyn Halls Vic, =3rd Ursula Menz SA, =3rd Lisa Gemell WA. 

Women’s Sabre
: 1st Sam Auty Vic,  2nd Priscilla Del Castillo NSW=3rd Helen Phillips Vic, =3rd Kitty Simpson QLD.  

Women’s Sabre Teams: 1st NSW ‘A,  2nd Victoria, =3rd Qld, =3rd NSW ‘B.  

Men’s Sabre Teams
: 1st NSW ‘A,  2nd WA ‘A, =3rd Qld, =3rd NSW ‘B. 

Women’s Epee Teams
:  1st Victoria,  2nd NSW A, =3rd SA, =3rd NSW ‘B. 

Sun 7 December

Men’s Epee: 1st Seamus Robinson Vic, 2nd John Downes NSW, =3rd Kristian Radford Vic, =3rd James Lewis WA.

Women’s Foil:
 1st Claire Daniel Qld, 2nd Emily Marrotta Vic, =3rd Evelyn Halls Vic, =3rd Beatrice Hay NSW.

Men’s Foil
: 1st Ned Fitzgerald Vic, 2nd Lucas Webber Vic, =3rd Matt Foster Vic, =3rd Matthew Donald NSW.

Women’s Foil
 Teams: 1st NSW ‘A, 2nd Qld, =3rd NSW ‘B, =3rd Vic.

Men’s Epee Teams
: 1st Qld ‘A, 2nd NSW ‘A, =3rd Vic, =3rd SA.

1:30 Men’s Foil Team: 1st Vic ‘A, 2nd NSW ‘A, =3rd Vic ‘B, =3rd NSW ‘B.
 

More details on AFF website Link

Australian Champions History – Doc: Australian Fencing Champions 2014 and Past



State Veterans Squad – Melbourne Fencing Centre


Training Time: Thursday Nights 6:30-8:30

Any athlete wishing to participate, please contact  chris@swordfightersaustralia.com 

Chris Jones 0409 013 171

 

 

 

 

Session 4th December, come along and join the squad:        Skill:  National Review, Simple and Speed.

Next Session:   December 11th. 

 Here is the list of available Veterans Competitions for this year courtesy of the AFF: Download Veterans Schedule 2014

Also Fencing Victoria has the Calendar online for local competitions this year 

@  6:30  Level 1, 204-206 Arden St North Melbourne.     

Public transport:* by train (closest station is North Melbourne -10 minute walk down Laurens Street)*

by Tram Closest stop is No 15 on Abbotsford Street on route 57 -8 minute walk down Arden Street.


Proudly supporting VicVets…

 

If you’d like any weapons fixed; David Hubbard is in the business of repair : email David 

 

Vic Vets



Sword Fighters Australia Calendar 2015


2015 Calendars available to order $10.

Great for the office and as a gift.

.         Sword Fighters Australia Calendar ‘15


Sword Fighters Australia is proudly powered by WordPress and themed by Mukka-mu