Australian National Champions 2010


Following the Australian National Champions in Brisbane for AFF #4

The 6 National Champions kindly offered to answer a series of questions on their results and “Achievements” for the Competition and their careers.

 

Australian National Champion 2010Womens Epee Evelyn Halls Vic.

 

1. When and why did you start Fencing?
A:.
 I started fencing at school when I was about 10 – my sister Jo wanted to learn and they needed an extra person to make up the class.
 
 
2. How many countries have you competed in, where is your favourite, and where would you love to Fence?
A:
 I have lost count of how many countries I have competed in (it has been more than 20 years since I started competing internationally!). My favourite place to compete is probably Budapest, as that’s where I won my first World Cup medal in 1997, only 18 months after switching from foil to epee.
 
 
3. What was your motivation for winning the 2010 National Fencing Championships?
A:
 I am always motivated to win the National Championships. In the past, my performances in Australia have not always been as good as overseas, so that’s something I am trying to make up for now! I’m always trying to set new goals to challenge myself – eg at the moment, I have 8 National titles to my name, so I’m chasing Helen (9) and Frankie (11).

4. Do you think Fencing in France in the World Champs helped you?
A: France was the first World Champs I’ve been to for 3 years, so it helped me reacquaint myself with fencing at the top level again.
 
5. Now (that you won again this year) what are your future goals? 
A:
 At the moment, fencing is third priority in my life, behind my family and my career, so my training time is limited and my fencing goals need to fit with the other things in my life. I would like to try and achieve some decent results in international competitions again, although it remains to be seen whether this is realistic. I would also like to try and win a National title in each of my teens, 20s, 30s, 40s (and 50s!).  
 
 
6.Why do you believe you succeeded this year?
A:
 I think that my understanding of epee fencing and my use of the correct tactics in all my matches allowed me to overcome my limited preparation.
 
 
7. Was there anything you did better this year than previous years? 
A:
 I was happier with the standard of my fencing this year, as compared to last year when it was not so pretty to watch ….
 

8. Whats next for you in 2010/2011? (Training, Break, Travel?)

A: Back to work and tracking down some great presents to bring a smile to Gabby’s face on Christmas Day! I need to try and find some time to improve my general fitness and also my footwork, which is not quite good enough for international fencing at the moment.

 

9. What competitions will you do Internationally or plan to do / if any in 2011?

A: Subject to work commitments, I would like to try and do a couple of World Cups, Asian Champs and World Champs.

 

10. Can you give us a motto/philosophy you follow in your fencing? (for future Australian champions)

A: “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work” (Thomas Edison)

 

11. If you could provide encouragement for Juniors coming through what would it be?

A: Fencing is a difficult sport to master – rather than trying to improve everything at once, I have found that the best approach is to focus on fixing your 1 or 2 biggest faults, tailor your lessons, bouting and footwork practice to target those for the weeks, months (or even years!) it takes to improve, before moving on to the next area for improvement, and so on, and so on …..

 

Thanks So much..

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