Following the Australian National Champions in Sydney 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 2009: Womens Epee Evelyn Halls.

Title: 2009 National Champions: “Achievement.”  

1: When and why did you start Fencing? 

A: I started when I was about 11, in an after-school program. My sister (Jo) was very keen to fence, so my parents volunteered me …  

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 compete in but it would be somewhere between 20 to 25. My favourite place to fence is Budapest for 3 reasons – it is where I got my first big result (2nd in a World Cup in 1997); it has always been my training base when in Europe, and it is the birthplace of my wonderful husband, Peter Osvath!   

3. What was your drive and/or inspiration for winning the 2009 National Fencing Championships?   

A: I wanted to show (to myself as much as anyone else) that I still have what it takes. Also, I’ve set myself a goal of trying to win as many National titles as possible (currently seven, and counting ….). I am a very proud Australian and to be Australian champion means a lot to me.   

4. Now (that you won this year) what are your future aspirations?  

A: My aspirations are to win next year as well! In all honesty, fencing now plays a very small part of my life, as most of my energy is focused on my family and my career. I’m not sure what role fencing will play in my future – for now, I’m happy just to be fencing well and enjoying it!  

5.Why do you believe you succeeded this year?

A: I think that I was very determined and focused, and was able to successfully implement the skills I’ve learnt over a number of years. Because I only train for a couple of hours a week, my fencing is strongly dependent on my mind telling my body what to do (and my body successfully following instructions!)   

6. Was there anything you did better this year than previous years?   
 
A: This year I came 2nd in the Foil (last year, I was 3rd!) and also fenced much better against Ping (who it must be said is a far superior foilist to me!!) More generally, I think that as I have got older (and especially since my daughter Gabriella was born) I have become much better at finding a way to win bouts from a difficult position – there were a couple of bouts in both the epee and the foil where I was behind and looked like losing, but managed to find a way to victory. It’s a skill that I wish I’d managed to develop earlier in my fencing career (when I was famous for often snatching defeat from the jaws of victory).   

7. What’s next for you in 2009? (Training, Break, Work?)

A: Work, work, and more work .. and of course, Christmas with my family and friends (and many, many presents for Gabby!). Hopefully, over summer, I might get a chance to fit in a bit more fencing – and to build up my general fitness again as well.  

8. What competitions will you do Internationally or plan to do / if any in 2010?

A: At the moment, I’m not sure – I’ll see what I feel like. The World Cup in China is a possibility, and Commonwealth Championships in Melbourne.   

9. Can you give us a motto you try to achieve in your fencing? (a guide to future Australian champions)

A: Train hard, train smart – if you can combine an appetite for hard work with the ability to analyse and improve your fencing, you will set yourself up to improve quickly. The very best fencers I have seen in Australia or overseas are always the hardest workers – the first on the piste every night at training and the last to leave. Always ask yourself whether you could have trained harder. Particularly for young fencers, there is simply no substitute for sustained hard bouting..  

10. If you could define your idea of “Perfect Fencing,” what would it be? 

A: The perfectly executed half step back fleche of Pavel Kolobkov (former Olympic and world champion).Thanks so much Evelyn…

More interviews to come..