Champions questionnaire 2015

                                               ‘The Sword Fighter Dozen.’

Australian 2015 National Champion: Yuan Ping  – Womens Foil.

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

A:  I have been fencing for 20years, In China, I was chosen by my coach to start fencing. It took 3 years to feel competent. 

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

A:  I have been competing at National/International level for 16years.

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

A:  Since I started to do Fencing I have fenced with the Foil. I havent fenced the other 2 weapons.  Because I was a member of the Chineses National Team before 2008, then moved to NZ, and a professional Fencer only chooses one weapon to focus on as the rules and technique are different in those three weapons.

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

A: For competition I would like Europe, for training I would like Europe, N.America and Asia. 

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

A: I dont have a coach or training partners since I moved to NZ in 2008.

6: What are your plans for 2016? work / training / competition?

A: To coach young fencers, training overseas and to participate in the 2016 Rio Olympic Zone Qualifying Event.

7: Do you have a favourite Fencer (Internationally)? Have you modelled your fencing on this person or anyone else?

A: Maria Valentina Vezzali (ITA)

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

A: I haven’t been training for many years since 2008, because here (NZ) there is no training at my level and no coach. 

9: What did you do differently if anything this season to previous ones to result in your national’s win?

A:  Not sure about anything different.

10: What is your weekly training Regime?

A: I coach myself and bought training stuff to put in my garage, so train on my own in there. 

11:  What advice would you give to potential Australian champions?

A: I hope Australian Championships will one day move back to Sydney, as its much easier for overseas fencers, but I’d like to say the venue in Canberra is great, which the most professional national event in Oceania is.

12: What is your favourite thing about fencing in Australia, 

A: Australia has nice food and lots of fruit, I can also meet up with friends.. 

Thanks very much Ping !