What's It Take?

[Applesauce and Foils]

It's a brand new year, and I would guess most of us are going to be tuned to the Olympics. For those of us average fencers, (yes, me) who want to get there, in say 2012 or 2016, what will it take? How are those of you who are making it doing it?

AF

[KD5MDK]

It will take, for you, some top placements in Division I NACs. Once you have enough points to be in the top 16 or so of the Senior National Points, you can start attending World Cups, and once you make enough top 8s or so there, you'll be in a position where you might qualify.

[Purple Fencer]

The only way I'm making it is if I get a spot on the armoring crew...

[downunder]

As a referee I'm on the right track, and getting used at the A-grades I attend, which is always promising.

Of course all of that can change very quickly, so I've got to stay active and do the absolute best I can every time I go out there. I don't think aiming for 2012 or 2016 is unrealistic for me.

[KD5MDK]

Think of the competitive advantage you have over a similarly skilled Italian or German referee.

[Applesauce and Foils]

Thanks,KD5MDk , this is exactly the kind of helpful and specific info I was looking for!

Am I understanding that some of y'all ref and fence competitively?

[KD5MDK]

Neither downunder nor I fence competitively. oiuyt does, although his Olympic chances aren't so strong as a better example, Ivan Lee. Ivan does have a ways to go before becoming an Olympic Ref, but he's already and Olympic fencer and has plenty of time to work on it.

[App13]

Ah Olympics, I am aiming at 2016 myself. I will be 23 so thats the prime time.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Applesauce and Foils

Am I understanding that some of y'all ref and fence competitively?

As KD5MDK said, i quit fencing when I was 19.

[tbryan]

Originally Posted by Applesauce and Foils

the Olympics. For those of us average fencers, (yes, me) who want to get there, in say 2012 or 2016, what will it take? How are those of you who are making it doing it?

Those who are "making it" probably aren't wasting their time on fencing.net.

It's probably too soon for you to be talking about the Olympics. Are you earning senior points? If not, are you even able to compete in Div I NACs? If not, are you doing well in Div II NACs? If not, are you winning local events? You need to start by setting more reasonable goals that you can actually achieve in the course of a single season.

If you seriously want to fence in the Olympics, you and your family probably have to move. Maybe not right away, but eventually.

Finally, I imagine that Olympians make themselves into Olympians. You'll need to take responsibility for your progress, maybe starting with using the search function on this forum (or at least Google). If you don't know which resources are reliable, talk to your coach. Or at least post a list of resources (web sites, books, magazines, etc.) that you're considering using, and maybe folks here can help you figure out which ones are useful or not.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

If you want to get there as a fencer, keep competing, and hope to god that you don't hit the "money wall" or worse, the "talent wall" before you get there.

Though its much better to hit the talent wall first then to hit the money wall first.

You'll figure it out.

[Neinteen]

Originally Posted by App13

Ah Olympics, I am aiming at 2016 myself. I will be 23 so thats the prime time.

World's ending 2012, so I'm just gonna fence big now in my small kiddy pool.

[Applesauce and Foils]

Tbryan,

I see what you're saying, and, yes, I still have to complete that list. But, that's kind of why I was asking, so I can figure out what my reasonable goals should be.

[tbryan]

Originally Posted by Applesauce and Foils

I see what you're saying, and, yes, I still have to complete that list. But, that's kind of why I was asking, so I can figure out what my reasonable goals should be.

Well, what did your coach say when you asked him/her?

[C.I.C.]

Originally Posted by Applesauce and Foils

It's a brand new year, and I would guess most of us are going to be tuned to the Olympics. For those of us average fencers, (yes, me) who want to get there, in say 2012 or 2016, what will it take? How are those of you who are making it doing it?
AF

Realistically, as an "average fencer," your chances for making it in 2012 are probably zero.

The 2012 Olympians are almost certainly top fencers in their respective age groups already.

Check the ages of the top 16 to 32 fencers on the USFA Senior and Junior (and perhaps Cadet) rolling points lists:
http://www.usfencing.org/usfa/content/view/1783/160/
Also note those fencers who are on two or even three of their respective weapon's rolling points lists - Senior, Junior and/or Cadet.

That's where virtually all (if not all) of the 2012 team will come from.

[TBean]

I have to agree with C.I.C., the 2012 Olympics are not a realistic goal. Those althletes are mostly coming from the current leaders on the Junior and Senior standings. Many could even be realistic canidates for 2016 if that is what they want and can afford.

If making an olympic team is your ultimate goal you need to talk to your coach about what that kind of training regime that looks like. It is a combination of skill, determination, dedication and consistency. To become an elite level athlete in any sport you not only have to love to compete and win, you have to love to train as well. That is where the battle is won.

Good luck.

[parrythis]

Originally Posted by Applesauce and Foils

For those of us average fencers, (yes, me) who want to get there, in say 2012 or 2016, what will it take?

Just do what most of us average fencers would do and buy tickets.

[Applesauce and Foils]

Originally Posted by tbryan

Well, what did your coach say when you asked him/her?

My coach left the club, that's why I'm using Fencing.net. But, I will start in a club with a coach soon.

[Nolano]

well, if you look at the current rolling points standings, the top 4 of every category most likely has whoever will be in the next olympics, in that category.

[Durando]

Originally Posted by Applesauce and Foils

It's a brand new year, and I would guess most of us are going to be tuned to the Olympics. For those of us average fencers, (yes, me) who want to get there, in say 2012 or 2016, what will it take? How are those of you who are making it doing it?

AF

What it will take is a big pile of money. Especially if you are in the U.S. Oh, and the ability to forgo serious studies in that time.

You can solve a lot of training problems instantly by leaving the U.S. You will still need a pile of money. So, at a minimum, if you wanted to be reasonably assured of being in the contention for an Olympic spot, you are looking at impoverished existence in a foreign land, the necessity of learning and conducting your daily life in a foreign language, and finding the right training environment. This is all before we discuss the quantity and quality of your training, etc.

At minimum you will need to consider moving to one of the centers of American fencing and undergo all the attendant difficulties. In any case, you have to ask yourself what your life will look like the day after the Olympics.

If you decide not to undertake all this, I can set you up with a recruiter to the French Foreign Legion.