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 !