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Post by LongBlade on Jun 16, 2005 0:06:27 GMT -5
Sports fight to stay in Olympic mix
IOC I Baseball, softball are among popular events on the bubbleGary Kingston Vancouver Sun Vancouver, BC, Canada June 11, 2005 www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/news/road_to_2010/story.html?id=10f9f5f3-78b1-44df-983b-fe2a0d7874de&page=2A Summer Olympics without the sport that supposedly crowns "the ultimate athlete?" Baseball and softball being called out by the IOC? It could happen. The International Olympic Committee is putting each of its 28 summer sports to a vote at its session in Singapore next month and there are varying degrees of concern among Canadian officials in the three sports that IOC boss Jacques Rogge proposed be dropped back in 2002. Baseball, women's softball and modern pentathlon -- which Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, said produces the ideal, complete athlete -- survived 2002, when IOC members resisted the targeting of individual sports and no vote was taken. In Singapore, any sport failing to get a majority will be dropped from the program for the 2012 Olympics. If one or more sports go out, the IOC executive board would decide which of the five on the waiting list -- golf, rugby, karate, squash and roller sports -- should be proposed for admission. The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, which represents all 28 sports, met in Geneva this week and voted to make a direct plea to IOC members not to drop any of the sports from what it feels is a successfully balanced program. "It's like a house of cards," ASOIF president Denis Oswald told the Associated Press. "You take one card out and the whole thing might fall down." IOC members, however, are notoriously unpredictable, prone to settling old scores through strategic votes or perhaps voting based on their country's lack of interest or success in a particular sport. The voting is done by secret ballot. "I think our international organization is fairly confident that we have a very good chance of staying in," says Angela Ives of the Canadian Modern Pentathlon Association. "I was in Athens [at the 2004 Games] and it was absolutely sold out." Ives said there are encouraging signs for the Canadian program and she would hate to see the sport dropped. Canada had two female athletes in Athens -- Monica Pinette of Langley was 13th out of 32 competitors, the highest a Canadian pentathlete has ever finished -- after not having a representative in the previous two Games. Competitors earn points in pistol shooting, epee fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping and cross-country running. Ives said the sport, popular in Europe because of its history as a military training tool, has become more spectator friendly over the years by having competition in all five disciplines on one gruelling day instead of being spread out over four days. "And we don't have the drug problems of other sports," she said. "You'd be foolish to take something to calm yourself down for shooting when you've got to be fencing the same day. It tends to be a very, very clean sport." Baseball, meantime, only became a full medal sport in 1992; softball gained its full status in 1996. Canada was fourth in baseball in 2004, coming within a couple of outs of making the gold-medal game, and fifth in softball. "It would be unfortunate to lose baseball and softball because they are more inherently part of Canadian day-to-day activity than say a sport like modern penathlon," says Chris Rudge, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee. "Not that I want to see it out, but there are not a lot of us every weekend who say 'let's go modern pentathloning.' "Baseball and softball are sports we do fairly well at, [but] I think they're in tough because they're not played extensively around the world." Softball Canada officials, though, feel they are on safer ground than baseball, in part because the Olympics still haven't achieved gender equity. "To be knocking out a female sport, that would be a tough go," said Hugh Michener, Softball Canada's CEO. "And softball just got accepted into the World University Games in 2007 in Thailand. It's getting on more and more multi-sport programs and there's a lot of growth. "I'm not worried on the facts, but you never know what's going to happen. I was more worried going into Mexico City in 2002 because it was sort of sprung on us and we were targeted. Now, all 28 sports are on the block and presumably they'll all be judged by the same qualifications." Baseball may have the toughest challenge because many countries can't send their best players. Major League Baseball won't release them in mid-season. "If there was a guarantee major league players would be there, there would be no problem keeping us in," said Jim Baba, Baseball Canada's director general. Oswald notes, however, that there is no guarantee the world's top golfers would play in the Olympics. He also called the idea of adding rugby sevens -- the abbreviated version of rugby being considered for the Olympics -- "a joke." Baba said another issue hurting baseball is facility cost, noting that European cities currently bidding on the 2012 Games would have to construct at least one 12,000-seat stadium. Baba, who just returned from International Baseball Federation meetings in Switzerland, said Rogge spoke to the organization and praised it for reworking the qualification process to ensure eight strongly competitive countries are in Bejing in 2008. He also noted that TV ratings in Japan, Canada and Cuba for baseball at Athens were good. Next week, a team of major league officials, including Sandy Alderson, a former top official in the MLB head office and now general manager of the San Diego Padres, will travel to Lusanne to meet with Rogge. Baba said he thinks a plan could be presented to release some players on major league rosters for the Olympics. Rogge says the Olympics won't go beyond a maximum 28 sports and 10,500 athletes and wants IOC members to consider the global picture when voting. Oswald said the sport federations would be open to some changes by considering a reduction in disciplines, classes or distances in certain sports. No sport has been cut from the Summer Olympics since polo in 1936.
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 16, 2005 0:08:30 GMT -5
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 16, 2005 0:09:42 GMT -5
Fitness Center Fencing Student Wins State Competition The Pilot.com North Carolina, USA June 14, 2005 www.thepilot.com/news/061505fencing.htmlA local seventh-grader and fencing student at the FirstHealth Center for Health and Fitness in Pinehurst received first place in the under-14 category of the North Carolina State Division of the United States Fencing Association. Heidi Bruntmyer, 12, of Whispering Pines started fencing a little more than a year ago and began with a saber only when she started lessons at the FirstHealth Fitness Center in Pinehurst this year. In fact, Matt Cox, one of her instructors at the center, said it was only recently that women were allowed to compete in the saber division. “I just love fencing,” said Bruntmyer, who is home-schooled. “It helps relieve stress. I don’t think about school work at all when I’m fencing.” “Heidi is a very determined and focused young lady,” said Cox, who coaches the classes with his wife, Jennifer Oldham Cox. “In a very short time, she has established herself in the North Carolina Division.” Bruntmyer, who also received second place in the under-16 category at the state championship, will continue to the National Championships in California in July. “She just always wanted to fence,” said her mother, Tichelle Bruntmyer. “We didn’t really understand where it came from, because neither her dad nor I fenced.” Fencing has turned out to be a great way for Bruntmyer to spend time with her dad, Hans. “My dad fishes with my brother,” she said. “He couldn’t do anything with me.” Now, they often fence together, but both admit that Heidi wins most of the time. Beginner and advanced fencing classes are taught throughout the year for both children ages 7 and up and adults at the FirstHealth Center for Health and Fitness in Pinehurst. The center also offers private lessons. “This program has really taken off, even more than we expected,” said Kari Garbark, the center’s program manager. “It’s a great way for the kids to learn not only the skill of fencing, but also self-esteem, discipline and good sportsmanship.” In addition to the private and group classes, the center also offers fencing camps and fencing birthday parties that include 45 minutes of fencing instruction and 45 minutes for gifts and refreshments. “Fencing is a great alternative for kids who aren’t necessarily terrific at traditional sports,” Cox said. “It’s a lifetime sport. Jennifer and I, collectively, have already been fencing for almost 30 years, and we didn’t start until college. That’s a lot later in life than most of the kids we’re teaching.” Cox also emphasizes that even though the weapons used are blunt and, for the most part, harmless, safety is an important part of what the students are taught. Classes for beginners will be held on Tuesdays through June 28, at 4 p.m. (for ages 7 through 10), 5 p.m. (for ages 10 through 14) and 6 p.m. (for ages 14 to adult). The class fee for fitness center members is $25. It is $35 for the community. An advanced class will be held on Mondays through June 27, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. for ages 7 and up. The fee for this class is $35 for members and $45 for the community. To register or for more information, the phone number for the FirstHealth Center for Health and Fitness in Pinehurst is 715-1800.
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 16, 2005 0:13:15 GMT -5
No foiling young fencing starsBarking & Dagenham Recorder London, England 15 June 2005 www.bdrecorder.co.uk/content/redbridge/recorder/sport/story.aspx?brand=RECOnline&category=SportGeneric&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sportnewham&itemid=WeED15%20Jun%202005%2016%3A03%3A08%3A747YOUNG fencers inspired Newham Council's estate-based sports scheme to victory as they came away with a glut of medals from their first junior competition. The team of 12 fencers won a gold, two silvers and a bronze at the recent Highams Park Junior Foil Competition, with the rest of the squad finishing no lower than eighth in an event with 70 competitors. The tournament was a warm-up for the London Youth Games in July which most of the group, who have been fencing for less than six months, will be taking part in. Alan Lozovik (4th), Nathaniel Deer (5th), Luke Odufona (6th) all impressed in the boys' under-nine event, while under-11 boys: Alex Savin (2nd), Matthew Neal (3rd), Jamal Msebele (7th) and Christian Andrade-Touer (8th) caught the eye in the boys' under-11 event. Guan Yeap (6th), Kaloyan Danchev (7th) and Don Isiko (8th) produced good results in the boys' under-13 competition, while in the under-13 girls' event, Nancy Odufona took gold and Aimee Parsons silver in the girls' under-15s. The scheme was funded by Newham Council and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, and Newham's deputy mayor, Cllr Christine Bowden, who presented the medals, said: "With Newham at the heart of the Olympic bid, the significance of introducing young people to sport is allowing them to discover their golden potential." For more information about fencing, call Linda Strachan on 07956 618898.
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 18, 2005 0:37:14 GMT -5
Latin American Countries Confirm Participation in FencingPrensa Latina - Latin American News Agency Havana, June 16, 2005 www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7BE9E984B4-3623-4F7F-AD6D-63EB26FB22C4%7D&language=ENEcuador and El Salvador confirmed their participation in the fencing competition of the Bolivarian Alternative Games of the Americas (ALBA) to be held from Friday until June 24, announced the Cuban sports authorities Wednesday. Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Colombia and Chile will also participate in the ALBA Games. The fencing competition will give 6 titles: foil, sword, and saber in individual and teams for both sexes. Venezuelan Education and Sports Minister Aristobulo Isturiz registered the Venezuelan delegation, with judo female athlete Giovanna Blanco (78 Kg.) as standard-bearer. The Venezuelan delegation will send 541 athletes to the 1st ALBA Games. Eduardo Alvarez, head of the Venezuelan Sports Institute, said the their delegation will start arriving to Cuba Thursday, to participate in 32 sports competitions. The first group (360 athletes) will include representatives of skating, archery, gymnastics, rowing, taekwondo, beach volleyball, wrestling, tennis, baseball, water polo, softball, and soccer.
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 18, 2005 0:52:41 GMT -5
Sport, culture meld over art
Fencing school finds old mill building fits as a new homeBy Bill Ewing Boston Globe Correspondent June 16, 2005 www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2005/06/16/sport_culture_meld_over_art/When Zoran Tulum first saw the bright and airy industrial space that will serve as home to his new fencing school in Lawrence, everything about it felt right. A former architect and product designer, as well as a fencing coach of considerable pedigree, Tulum was immediately drawn to the space for both its rough-hewn beauty and its unique location above the Essex Art Center in a former mill building on Island Street. His Zeta Fencing Studio had found a new location. ''When I entered the space, I was thinking, 'art school, art of fencing.' Everything started melding together," said Tulum, 48, who has coached at Harvard and Stanford universities, as well as the US National and Olympic fencing teams. The location also seemed to embody his philosophy that fencing is more than just a sport -- it's also a way to introduce people to subjects ranging from art history to psychology. What better place to weave these themes into a fencing lesson than in a diverse neighborhood rich with its own history, art, and culture? ''I can't tell you how excited I am to have this type of business moving into one of our buildings," said Chet Sidell, trustee of GES Realty LLC, which owns several buildings in the mill district. ''I'm in the business of renting space, and Lawrence doesn't need another Dunkin' Donuts on the corner," Sidell said. ''What we need are unique opportunities to bring people to the city. It shows people that wonderful things are happening here." Tulum, a native of Belgrade, opened Zeta Fencing Studio in his hometown of Natick in 2001 and will officially open his second location in Lawrence in August. From 5 to 8 p.m. tonight, he plans to introduce the sport to the community by holding an opening celebration and demonstration at the new 3,000-square-foot studio. ''Fencing is a life skill," said Tulum. ''It's dealing with other people through the senses. If I'm fencing someone I've never met before, I have to use all my knowledge about body language, behavior, and positioning to assess the situation and act. It's like physical chess." Even more important than winning a given bout, said Tulum, is maintaining composure before, during, and after. ''How did you present yourself? Did you come out of the match with your head up and shoulders straight?" he asked. ''I believe that fencing represents intellectual and personal nobility at its best. I'm not teaching people how to fence, I'm teaching them how to be fencers -- that is, to be a person who bases mind over strength, a person challenging themselves to solve problems at all times." Physical environment is also important to Tulum's teaching method. ''When you enter one of my clubs, I want you to feel that you are entering a space of value," he said. ''We always have classical music or jazz playing and beautiful pieces of art on the walls." His goal, he said, is to create clubs that are more intimate French bistros -- where attention is paid to every detail -- than large, impersonal fast-food restaurants. At the Lawrence studio, programs this summer will include a weeklong day camp for children and an evening and weekend camp for adults. The cost for the camps will be $300, and Zeta Fencing will offer group and private lessons for all levels of experience starting in the fall. For camps and introductory classes, all equipment will be provided. Tulum started fencing at age 9 in Belgrade and went on to become a national champion in all three weapons -- foil, epee, and saber. He earned a spot on Yugoslavia's Olympic fencing team for the 1980 games in Moscow, but the team did not attend for political reasons. He then focused his attention on an architecture career -- with an emphasis on museum and gallery spaces -- and later product design, coaching fencing on the side. In 1985, Tulum moved to the United States and became the assistant fencing coach for two years at Harvard and head coach for 12 years at Stanford, where he helped build the team into a national powerhouse. He also coached the US National and Olympic teams during this period. According to Tulum, interest in fencing is on the rise in the United States, especially since the country won its first gold medal in the sport during the 2004 Olympics in Athens. ''We have all these major team sports like baseball, basketball, football, and hockey, but what happens to the rest of the kids? Not everybody is built to be a linebacker," said Tulum. ''With fencing, you can learn and have fun with any body type." Tulum did not come to open a studio in Lawrence by happenstance. A year ago, he reconnected with Maggie Super Church, a longtime friend and fellow fencer who is executive director of Groundwork Lawrence, a nonprofit community development organization. Church, a competitive fencer in her youth and three-time captain of the Yale University team, encouraged Tulum to check out the architecture in Lawrence and think about opening another studio. She introduced him to various mill owners and eventually helped him secure his new space. When the studio opens this summer, she will be the manager and one of three coaches. ''I think there's a large market for fencing within the city itself and also in surrounding communities," said Church. ''Certainly in Lawrence there's a lot of young talent that's pretty untapped. Then there are kids from surrounding towns like Andover, Boxford, and Methuen that are looking for something different. ''Hopefully, the studio will become a regional center of activity in much the same way that the Essex Art Center has, serving people locally and from around the Merrimack Valley." Zeta Fencing Studio is at 56 Island St. in Lawrence. Further information is available at 617-821-5665 or www.zetafencing.com.
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 18, 2005 1:07:19 GMT -5
Fencing campThe Imphal Free Press Imphal, India June 15, 2005 www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=24182&typeid=3 The national coaching camp for fencing will be held at SAG hall, Khuman Lampak Impal from June 16 to July 23 in connection with preparation of Indian fencing team for the forthcoming Asian fencing championship at Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia from July 25 to 30 this year. The following fencers have been selected from Manipur state for the national camp. They are A Chitaranjan, H Manglemba, S Jayenta, Chingsomba Ningomba, A Sanatombi, A Romiyo, A Rupachandra, M Usharani, S Reorita, N Harina, N Usharani, E Gita, L Samashakhi and M Sandhyarani.. Giorgio Guerrini, an Intalian fencing expert is the chief coach of the national camp.
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 18, 2005 22:53:41 GMT -5
Most players, coaches yet to arrive for fencing campThe Imphal Free Press Imphal, India June 16, 2005 www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=24203&typeid=3The national coaching camp conducted by the Fencing Federation of India started yesterday at the SAG hall of the Khuman Lampak sports complex and will conitnue till July 23. The camp is for the preparation of the Indian fencing team for the Asian fencing championship at Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia. The federation chose Imphal as the site for the camp as the place has good weather conditions, all the necessary equipments and facilities besides half of the campers being from manipur. The coaches for the camp are W Ibomcha and W Vedleshor from Manipur, Amitabh Kumar, Ashok Khati and Rakesh Kumar and chief coach Girgio Guerrini from Italy. At present Manipur dominates the fencing scene in India with the federation selecting 7 men and 6 women from Manipur, 2 from Karnataka, one from Maharashtra, one from Haryana, 2 from Jammu and Kashmir, 8 from Punjab, one from Assam who is a Manipuri and two from the Army out of whom one is again from Manipur. Till today only four players from outside Manipur have reported for the camp. The chief coach is also waiting for his inner line permit and is expected next week. The two coaches from Manipur are handling the coaching till Giorgio arrives. The players and the coaches have been provided accomodation at Hostel No. 2 SAG Khuman Lampak and are training from 9 to 11 am in the morning and 4 to 6 pm in the evening. Meanwhile, the three players who are working in the police department have applied for leave and are likely to get leave from tomorrow. Out of 31 fencers who are participating in the national camp 24 fencers are likely to be selected for the Indian team. The Indian players will clash with three strong nations in Asia Japan, South Korea and China. Each fencer will be entered in two individual events apart from taking part in two group events.
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 18, 2005 22:55:58 GMT -5
World-class surfer, fencing champion, pentathlete, primatologist in trainingBy JAMES CHRISTIE Toronto Globe And Nail Toronto, Ontario, Canada Friday, June 17, 2005 www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050617/SURFER17/TPNational/TorontoLeslie-Ann Gervais is one of the country's top épée fencers, a former junior champion in modern pentathlon and is concerned about the world's great apes. It's important to note all those aspects first, because the next label is the one that invariably sticks in people's minds. She is a surfer girl. "People used to think it was strange, being a surfer from Canada, but now they know who I am," Ms. Gervais says. Her home base is at Caledonia, Ont., near Hamilton, but she lives -- lives large -- on the crest of a big peeling wave. A member of the Pro Surfing Tour of America, Ms. Gervais has travelled the world, representing Canada in world championships at Portugal, Brazil and South Africa, ridden the roaring Pacific in Hawaii and on the West Coast of the United States and Canada. She has braved the cold and wild North Atlantic in more than 20 pounds of wetsuit to win three Canadian women's East Coast surfing crowns. "It can be thrilling, it can be scary. You have to respect its power," the 27-year-old says of the waves. Her love of surfing began 10 years ago, at an unlikely event: Ms. Gervais was at a fencing tournament in Florida and tried it out in her spare hours. When she got home, she sought out places to practise her new sport. These included the wind-generated waves on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, ripples compared to the swallow-you-whole ocean curlers she competes on, but still fun. There are websites that identify the best freshwater surf locations of the Great Lakes, including a dozen Lake Ontario beaches from the Burlington Bridge to Niagara-on-the-Lake and Lake Erie's Crystal Beach, Port Colborne and Port Maitland. "On the north shore of Hawaii, the waves can change in five minutes from five feet to 15 feet. You feel like you have a mountain of water moving under you. The Great Lakes are definitely different," she says. Ms. Gervais is back training in the water after taking a year away to recover from an accident in January of 2004, when her car was rear-ended on the Queen Elizabeth Way and spun off the road. Since then, she has had occasional blackouts. "I always surf with a buddy now, or I'm closely watched," she says. Swimming, dance and her old fencing footwork have been an important part of her cross training in rehabilitation to re-establish balance and control on the short board. She also practises holding her breath for a minute at a time, as she did when she was a synchronized swimmer, to be prepared for the inevitable wipeouts and "hold down time" beneath the crashing waves. "It's not like holding your breath in a pool. You're getting thrown around," Ms. Gervais says. She said she expects to get back to the Pro Surfing Tour circuit, where she was the first Canadian woman to break into what is still a male-dominated sport and culture. "The accident motivated me. It's hard to have that realization my career could have been over in an instant. "It made me appreciate my love for sport and I worked extra hard to get back on track. "I feel lucky to have my career back. I don't take it for granted. I'm 27, it's my time to get out there in sports." Last winter, after years of trying to persuade organizers of a Canadian qualifying event for the Red Bull Ice Breaker surfing championship, she was finally accepted into the all-male field. "But still feeling the effects of my injuries from the accident, I had to bow out," she says, regretfully. The Canadian qualifying round was held in November, in the pummelling, frigid sea off Halifax, but she knew what to expect. "It can be hard to motivate yourself at first to get in. The first duck-dive is like an ice-cream headache. After that it gets better." Until she is back in competition, Ms. Gervais is producing a video of East Coast surfing with the help of a videographer. Next month she will head to Vancouver Island for western footage. Another video, about the Great Lakes, is also being produced. With 202,080 kilometres of Canadian coastline, there's no shortage of waves. Ms. Gervais was the No. 1 ranked Canadian junior fencer from September 1996 to August 1997. She won two bronze medals and one gold at senior North American Cup events, helped Canada win a team gold medal at the 1997 World Cup in Havana and took a solo bronze at the 1999 Canadian championships. Her other passion is protecting the great apes, a cause she took up when she was 13. When she was 16, she contacted Dr. Sandy Harcourt, an anthropologist at the University of California, Davis, asking to go to Rwanda to study mountain gorillas. That plan was cut short by civil war in the area. Later she sought a position with Dr. Birute Galdikas, who was the first scientist to comprehensively study the orangutan in the wild. "However, my parents became concerned that I was about to take off to live with great apes somewhere. They kind of stepped in at that point and said that maybe I would be better off trying to help the primates through my sports, receiving a scholarship and studying." Ms. Gervais says she still plans to be a primatologist and hang out with the great apes. For now, though, she'll hang with the surfer dudes.
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 21, 2005 23:07:50 GMT -5
Fencing, mountaineering and dog sledding keep adventure alive for local ophthalmologistBy JENNIFER GINN/Sun Managing Editor Winchester Sun Winchester, KY, USA June 18, 2005 www.winchestersun.com/articles/2005/06/18/local_news/features/feature9934.txt Dr. Daniel Ewen, right, a local ophthalmologist, practices fencing with his instructor, Amgad Khazbak, a former Egyptian Olympic national fencing coach. Ewen recently won the men's divisional champion in foil fencing in Louisville, which qualified him for the national competition in California in July. (Sun photo by James Mann)Dr. Daniel Ewen likes to live life on the edge. Whether he's fencing, hanging from a rock face at 20,000 feet or racing his sled dogs, there's little that is ordinary about this local ophthalmologist. If it's daring, chances are he's tried it. Ewen, 47, is a native of Lexington and owns Bluegrass Eye and Laser, 2580 Bypass Road. He graduated from the undergraduate program at the University of Kentucky in 1979 and from its medical school in 1983. For the past 18 years, he's been a practicing ophthalmologist in Winchester. He began fencing when he was just a teenager. Ewen recently won first place as the men's divisional champion in foil fencing in Louisville, which qualified him for the national competition in California in July. "Well, I liked a lot of adventure books when I was growing up," Ewen said. "I'd read 'Captain Blood' and 'Beau Geste.' It's hard to watch many Errol Flynn films and not want to pick up a foil." Ewen fences with a foil and a saber. A foil is a long, thin blade that often is seen in movies. To score, you must hit your opponent with the tip of the blade - which is blunt and covered by a button to prevent injury - anywhere on the torso except for the arms and head. The saber, which is about the same length as a foil, is stiffer and flat, Ewen said. Points can be scored using either the blade or the tip. Any area above the hips, including the arms and the head, is fair game. Ewen takes private lessons in Lexington from Amgad Khazbak, a former Egyptian Olympic national fencing coach. "That little man wears me out," Ewen said. "And he laughs at me when I make mistakes, but it's always good naturedly." At one recent lesson, Khazbak offered Ewen advice as he put him through his paces. "You are doing very well," said Khazbak, "but sometimes you are not patient. ... Wait ... find the blade and attack." Ewen chuckled as he described how he competes against men who are 20 years younger than him at tournaments. "To be good (you need to be agile and graceful)," he said. "But even the blind hog finds an acorn every once in a while. You know, you can beat better fencers if your strategy is better and you're smarter and have more experience. Sometimes that happens. That kind of experience can overcome 15-year-old agility and athleticism." Another of Ewen's passions is visible at his office, with pictures of mountains and little rock climbing figures scattered about. He said he goes climbing "as often as I can, or as my wife will allow me." "Last August, I was in Switzerland and had my third opportunity to try to climb the Matterhorn and climbed the Eiger (in the Swiss Alps), which was my big target last year," he said. "This summer, I'm going to Bolivia and climb a little higher than I've been before. ... Bolivia is incredible because it has probably a dozen peaks all over 20,000 feet in a very small area." Ewen began mountaineering while he was in residency. His junior - a younger doctor whom he was training - was from Colorado and got him interested in rock climbing. Now, he often goes climbing with his sons, 20-year-old Hunter and 17-year-old Bret. "My boys and I do that," he said. "If you're out in the middle of nowhere with your son, who else is there for them to talk to except me?" Both fencing and rock climbing involve a great deal of concentration and are mentally intensive sports, Ewen said. "What they both have in common is that you're largely in your head," he said. "Mountaineering, ... there's a lot of solitude when you're on a mountain. It's harsh and you'll probably wonder 10,000 times, 'Am I having fun yet,' or 'Why am I here' or 'Somebody get me off this stinking rock.' "In fencing, not only physically you're inside wearing a helmet, you're kind of inside your head and you're having this little chess game with this other person whose face you don't see through their helmet." Not content with just mountaineering and fencing, Ewen also would like to get involved in dog sled racing's biggest event - the Iditarod in Alaska. "Two years ago, I qualified and just wasn't able to get myself up there to do that," he said. "You have to have a certain number of racing miles. ... We keep dogs in Wyoming. They get trained through the summer pulling sledges. During the wintertime, if we're not there, they go out and pull tours. "... When Hunter was 7, we went out there for the first time. There he was, this little tiny sled, three little dogs and this little tiny 7-year-old boy. They were just off like a rocket. It's a lot of fun." Ewen, it would seem, is almost limitless in his energy and enthusiasm. Just talking about his athletic endeavors has him itching to get moving. But for now, it must wait. "There's only so many days in the year," he says with a smile, "and only so many credit chips I can cash in with my wife."
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 23, 2005 21:07:25 GMT -5
12 nations in Tehran's fencing eventPersian Journal - Iran & Iranian Latest News Iranian Wire Service June 19, 2005 www.iranian.ws/iran_news/publish/article_7655.shtmlTwelve countries have so far confirmed their readiness to participate in Tehran's fourth international fencing matches due to be held in July 15-17. Fencers from France, Russia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Japan, Pakistan, Italy, South Korea, Ukraine, Belarus, Taiwan and Tunis will participate in the event. The number of countries to participate in the matches is expected to reach 25, said the secretary of Iran's Fencing Federation.
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 23, 2005 21:14:57 GMT -5
Opening the fencing doorBy Dan Ruthemeyer Skagit Valley Herald - Mount Vernon,WA,USA 6/19/05  Photo: Frank Varga / Skagit Valley Herald Fencer Ellary Tucker Williams picked up the sport on a whim. She began using the epee in April and has qualified for the USFA Summer Nationals.
Anacortes fencer has quickly taken to the sport.Ellary Tucker Williams took up fencing on something of a whim. She read about a class in a recreation brochure last summer and decided, "Why not?" "It sounded like fun and I had nothing better to do during the summer," said the Anacortes 14-year-old. Then she tried it. What had been a "Why not?" turned into a "Wow." "After a week or so, it was like, ‘This is sweet,' " said Tucker Williams. And it has only gotten sweeter. Though she's fenced for less than a year, Tucker Williams has qualified for nationals in five age groups of epee fencing. And the funny thing about it is that Tucker Williams didn't pick up the epee until four weeks before her two national qualifiers. "I hesitate to throw out the ‘prodigy' word, but she's doing exceptionally well," said Buddy Grett, who heads the Fidalgo Bay Fencing Club. "In a short period of time, she's opened the door to go wherever she wants to take this." Like she did with fencing, Tucker Williams picked up the epee on something of a whim. She had competed strictly in foil fencing since taking up the sport in July, but when she arrived at a club workout in April there were no other foil fencers around. So Grett suggested Tucker Williams try the epee. The epee is slightly larger than the foil. The biggest difference between the two is in the rules. While in foil competition points are only scored with blows to the torso and while you're the aggressor, in epee you can strike an opponent anywhere and even when you're on the defensive. Tucker Williams had fought the change to epee, but that April night she gave in. The results have been dramatic. She qualified for the United States Fencing Association Summer Nationals on July 1-10 in Sacramento in the under-14, under-16, under-19, women's Division II and women's Division II classes. "My main goal was not to get last," said Tucker Williams. "I didn't care how I did as long as I didn't get last. Then everything fell into place." And with the foil? Tucker Williams didn't qualify and she's not too worried about it. She's found the epee. That's what she's going to stick with. "I'll help the newcomers (at the club in foil). I'll teach them and everything, but I won't compete in it," said Tucker Williams. At the national qualifiers, Tucker Williams competed against women in the 30s who had been fencing for 20 years. She went into the tournaments feeling no pressure. "You go into it looking for experience," she said. "If you don't do well, at least you get the experience." And now that she's going to nationals? Tucker Williams has a similiar outlook. "The way Buddy puts it is that this year's nationals are training for next year's nationals," she said. "We weren't expecting this at all." The success of Tucker Williams and the other three national qualifiers from the Fidalgo Bay Fencing Club has Grett rethinking next year's schedule. He will train his fencers for next year's nationals, and for those such as Tucker Williams maybe even a little more. Grett is talking about Junior Olympics, World Cup matches and beyond. "She can decide later where she wants to take it (fencing), but for right now we're going to train to go all the way," said Grett. And where's all the way? "The Olympics," said Grett.
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 23, 2005 21:40:25 GMT -5
Fencing academy to open in SarasotaBy MARY AWOSIKA Herald Tribune Florida, USA June 20, 2005 www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050620/FEATURES/506200435John Luper first learned the intricacies of fencing while taking a class at the Sarasota Military Academy in 2001. He didn't expect much from the course, but found that he enjoyed the strategic element of the martial art. "The fact that you can outsmart, out-beat an opponent is something to thrive on," Luper said. "I'm addicted to fencing." He said he wants to turn his passion for fencing into a lifelong career, having established Sarasota County's first fencing academy, with plans to teach a fencing course at the Bradenton campus of Manatee Community College. "I always wanted to own my own business," the 18-year-old said. At mid-semester in SMA he had made a deal with his parents that if they helped him with the project, he would improve his grades in time for graduation. Two months and one graduation ceremony later -- he graduated with a 3.75 average -- the Lupers set up a three-week fencing camp. "I knew there was a need," Luper said, while taking a breather during a camp session last week at the SMA on Orange Avenue. This is the final week for the camp before the Sarasota Fencing Academy begins in August. He said he hopes the academy will draw attention to the area. "People around the world will come here (to compete) if we establish a good team," Luper said. "I'm overwhelmed with the fact that this many people are interested so quick." Almost 90 people have attended the camp and 50 others have expressed interest in joining the academy in August. Part of the interest in fencing, Luper said, is a result of the popularity of the films "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" and 2003's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl." When the film "The Legend of Zorro," starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, opens nationwide in October, Luper and other academy coaches are scheduled to give live demonstrations of the sport at the Hollywood 20 in Sarasota, he said. Campers like Christopher Allen, 11, often have a personal connection to the sport. His aunt was a fencer and taught him the basics. "I like the movement," Christopher said. "I might like to continue in high school." Lauren Walsh, 44, said learning to fence is just one of the many activities she wants to master in her lifetime. She recently obtained her motorcycle license and said she wants to get into race car driving. Walsh said she plans to join the academy in the fall. Michele Cok of Bradenton registered her sons, Oliver, 13, and Avery, 9, for the camp. "I'm hoping my older son will take to it," Cok said. "It's a sophisticated sport. More strategic." The attendees at the fencing camp are taught the differences between the foil, épée and saber, three distinct swords and styles. With a foil, a fencer can only touch the torso; with an épée, a fencer is permitted to strike the entire body; and with a saber, the swordsman or woman can stab, slash or jab at the entire body. Saber tends to be the most challenging style, Luper said, because it requires the most endurance. Vince Pelosi, 15, has been trying his hand at saber, but said he fears a match with Luper. "He's tough," said Pelosi, after his second day of camp. "My deltoids are killing me right now. You have to hold your arms up for 20 minutes." On the first two days of camp, Luper, assistant coach Lanard Smith and SMA fencing coach Jim LaFollete outline the basic fencing moves: the thrust, the lunge, the advance and the retreat. Students who were fumbling with the weapon on Monday will know enough to participate in a fencing match by the end of the week, Luper said. Smith had a childhood fascination with sword fighting. "I attended Booker High School and switched to SMA because of the fencing class," he said. "It's more disciplined. You learn patience and the reaction time is fast. It's like having a sixth sense." Fencers need upper-body strength and quick reflexes to defend themselves, Luper said, because the weapon is held at shoulder height, and the arm movement is from side to side or up and down. Mastering the discipline requires skill and concentration, but it's a fencer's personal style that sets him or her apart, LaFollete said. "The best thing is to find out what works for you," he said. "To excel, you must fence eight hours a day, seven days a week. It takes baseline dedication." After camp, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, Luper practices for an hour in preparation for weekend tournaments, which prepare him for national competition in California in July. It will be Luper's third time competing in foil, épée and saber at the national tournament. "All I think about is that I have to win," Luper said. "When I'm on the strip, it's all instinct. When you think, you mess up. I want to get the quickest point possible." "It's human chess," "I'm mentally and physically better when I pick up a sword."
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 23, 2005 21:48:17 GMT -5
From fencing to Shakespeare, the castle has it allThe Slovak Spectator "Slovakia's English language newspaper"June 20, 2005  photo: Courtesy of Bratislava THE WEATHER heats up and the arts spill into the streets. This week Bratislava's annual Summer of Culture starts. From June 21 to September 27, the capital city will offer around 200 events with artists from 24 countries. The festival's jubilee 30th year is centred on a new location - Bratislava castle. With plenty of traditional events, but also new additions, this year's festival attempts to reach out more to non-Slovaks. "We aim at keeping the visitors in town longer," said Milan Vajda, the Bratislava mayor's spokesperson. The Folklore Jewels cycle is one of the Castle Festival's manifold portfolio designed to attract mainly foreign visitors. Over five Saturdays, starting July 30, established ensembles will introduce the musical and dance traditions of the country's different regions, including the Romathan ensemble, which presents Slovakia's Roma minority, and the popular Lúènica. "It's an opportunity for visitors and locals alike to get to know the folk customs of the entire country," said Vladimír Grežo, the director of Bratislava's Culture and Information Centre. The Summer of Culture traditionally fills the gap created by a two-month theatre break. The warm weather is just right for open-air art, where it is closer to the capital's visitors and where it dusts away the memory of the Communist ban on public gatherings. It consists of numerous small events, which have been shaping the image of the festival for three decades. The organizers' aim is to assure continuity of these well-established events and introduce new ones, attracting people of all ages. They are keeping with the Johann Kaspar Mertz Guitar Festival, Days of Organ Music, Jazz Under the Tower and the Sculpture and Object exhibition. The castle's Shakespeare Festival will feature performances of The Merchant of Venice, Hamlet and Twelfth Night this year. Music in the Garden will offer works by classical composers, and Music in Squares will enliven Friday nights. Apart from Bratislava castle, the festival takes place at 15 other venues popular with tourists. Events will be held in the Old Town Hall's courtyard, on Main Square, along the Danube embankment, in the Zlaté piesky recreation area and at Bratislava Zoo. Artists and musicians will perform at Bratislava's main train station and on the Martin, a boat that sails on the Danube. A theatre-fencing troupe will roam the streets performing and handing out updates on the festival's programme.
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Post by LongBlade on Jun 23, 2005 22:01:34 GMT -5
Fencing: Canadian women’s epee fencing team make history winning bronze in CubaPressPoint.com - Press Release June 19, 2005 www.sportsfeatures.com/PressPoint/show.php?id=23141Havana, Cuba – By defeating Poland in the bronze medal match ay the Havana Grand Prix today the Canadian women’s epee team made history winning Canada’s first ever World Cup team medal. Canada’s team of Sherraine MacKay from Brooks, Alta., Monique Kavelaars of Appin, Ont., Montreal’s Julie Leprohon and Catherine Dunnette of Calgary, Alta. started off with solid victories over Spain 45-33 and Greece 43-28. In the semi-finals they met Ukraine, who must have had revenge on their minds after Canada bested them in Spain 2 weeks ago. This time they downed the Canadians 45-38 setting up a date with France in the final. Canada had little trouble with Poland winning the bronze medal 45-35 while Ukraine held off France to capture the gold by a score of 33-31. “This year we’ve shown the fencing world that we are a force to be reckoned with and our eyes are set on gold for Worlds.” The women are now ranked 4th overall heading into the 2005 World Championships in Leipzig, Germany, October 8-15. In the Individual event on Saturday, Monique Kavelaars gave Canada best result finishing 30th. Kavelaars won her first match against Sonja Tol of the Netherlands 15-12 and then fell 1 point short in the second round in a heart-breaker 15-14 to Danuta Dmowska from Poland. Sherraine MacKay finished 33rd suffering a first round loss to Cuba’s Yamilka Rodriguez Quesa. Julie Leprohon suffered a similar fate losing 11-10 to Sabine Meissner of France placing 35th. Magda Krol of Vancouver, BC., finished 47th while Ainsley Switzer and Leigh Voigt both from Toronto, Ont. were 56th and 64th. France’s Laura Flessel-Colovic won gold defeating Cristiana Cascioli of Italy in the final while Anna Sivkova from Russian and Zuleidis Ortiz Fuente of Cuba shared bronze. Vancouver will be hosting the Peter Bakonki International World Cup July 8-10 which is the last World Cup of the year before Worlds. Vancouver World Cup information: www.pbinternational.ca
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