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: 

Nigel Nutt – Mens Foil.

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

A:  I started in 1980 at school in Sydney. I was drawn by the one on one aspect of the sport, and the opportunity to compete. A compabt sport without being full contact, and without the subjectivity of grading in other martial arts, I found Fencing unique.

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

A:  I Fenced State and National championships from 1981 onwards. Took me several years to get out of a first round at nationals, but there has not been a year since 1981 when I have not competed in some from at a national level in Australia or overseas. My first overseas competition was NZ championships in 1987, and my first truly international competition was the World Student Games in Germany in 1987.

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

A:  Always trained in foil, and enjoyed the rhythm and tempo of foil more than the others. Have always competed in epee in parallel with foil, and on a number of occasions seen more success in epee than in foil. Dabbled in Sabre in the late eighties, but the passion never stuck.

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

A:  Tough to call. Cavaliers club in Perth probably pips other clubs for pure enjoyment and mileu, but currently am enjoying coaching at a start up club in ACT called Maison Escrime with Mat Meriaux. I have very fond memories of Macquarie, Uni, Sydney Uni and Swords Club.

5: How important is competition in Australia for you?

A:  Fencing competitively keeps me in the sport,. Without the opportunity to compete, I would have retired a long time ago.

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

A: I’d like to compete in the World Veteran Champs (50+) from 2016 onwards.

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

A: No

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

A: Have always found squash a wonderful cross training sport: competitive, great for fitness, and hones my spatial awareness and positioning skills.

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

A:  I have recalibrated my sporting goals and self-expectations. I still fence to enjoy and to win, in that order.

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

 A: 90% coaching, 10% fencing in a typical year. I limit training to two evenings a week, and I avoid starting too early in a season. This stops me burning out, and keeps me hungry for the sport.

11:  What advice would you give veteran Australians?

A:  Stick at it: I admire and respect those around me for their longevity in the sport as much, if not more, than those wining the medals.

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

A: Best thing: Friendship. I love mixing with other Vet fencers. Worst things: gaps between rounds too long, and the comps take too long to run relative to the small numbers. I understand why, but I still think there is room for a faster comp.

Thanks very much Nigel!