Friday, June 2, 2023

Not too old for a sporting duel

 I was a fencer from ages 16-22.

I made several sporadic returns to the sport in the years since.

I made a semi-consistent return last year, after moving to South Florida.  I have been practicing with the Davis Fencing Academy of Miami.  Originally, I said that it was just for exercise and that I had no intention of competing.  The good vibes at the club prompted me to reconsider.

On May 27, 2023, I entered my first officially-sanctioned fencing tournament in almost 20 years.  The Titan Open had a broadly defined senior division, born in 2009 or earlier.  I competed primarily against teenagers and twenty-somethings, several of whom had earned Class E through B rankings through victories in prior tournaments.

I finished tied for third place.  I was over twice as old as the other medalists.  

Where else can you spend your Saturday hitting kids with a sword and not get in trouble with the law?






 Reach advantage versus southpaw! Double touches (when both fencers score simultaneously) happen frequently in epee.

 

Another double touch.  This was the match I went down on in the semi-finals.  My opponent went on to win the tournament. 

 

Photos by and © as follows: 1-2: Jeff Davis, 3-4 and 6-7: Jenni Pfeiffer, 5: Jacquelyn Davis.



 

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