Too old?

[oiuyt]

........ There are a number of schools near you where you can fence AND go to college AND train where you're training. I'm guessing (and yes, I'm just guessing, since you won't tell us about your coach) that there are even schools where you would get BETTER training.

You seem to have missed that s/he lives in Manhattan -- basically a fencing dead zone. I mean there's no way s/he can find good training or competitive opportunities near there.

-B

[occasionalfencer]

You seem to have missed that s/he lives in Manhattan -- basically a fencing dead zone. I mean there's no way s/he can find good training or competitive opportunities near there.

-B

I know that you are tired right now, but I would like to remind you gently that it is unkind to be sarcastic with people so ignorant that they probably could not realize that you are not serious.

Or maybe it is some other Manhattan? Is there a Manhattan in Iowa?

[Greg]

jes, allow me to enter a word of skepticism as well. There are many good coaches in your area who are capable of taking students all the way, so it's always possible. But consider the fact that putting all your resources into fencing will take away from other pursuits.

Do you want to be 30 before you go to college? That would put you taking an entry level (crappy paying) job around your mid-30s when you may need to support a spouse or family. How long will your parents support your ambitions, or do you have a means to support them yourself? There are many threads about the material costs of competing on an international level which you can check out yourself. Even phenomenal talent does not mean someone will swoop in and foot the bill for you. It will be largely up to you.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

About time! Listen to Phrogger. Your education is vastly more important than fencing and Olympic dreams.

As for you slow pace, the traditional model of training emphasizes building your skills first before bouting. This prevents bad habits from being ingrained. Be patient and you will be a clean and proficient fencer. Realistically, you might never become an Olympian starting at 17, but can easily become very successful at NACS and the Nationals. I can't get over how sloppy fencing has become in the last decade or so. They win bouts, but foil fencers flail away like saberists these days.

[oiuyt]

I know that you are tired right now, but I would like to remind you gently that it is unkind to be sarcastic with people so ignorant that they probably could not realize that you are not serious.

Or maybe it is some other Manhattan? Is there a Manhattan in Iowa?

The OP's details specify Manhattan, NY.

I STRONGLY doubt Myrddins has any doubt about whether or not my post was serious.

-B

[MyrddinsPrecint]

The OP's details specify Manhattan, NY.

I STRONGLY doubt Myrddins has any doubt about whether or not my post was serious.

-B

The OP doesn't want to tell us where the OP is receiving lessons, and has not yet actually fenced. I'm pretty sure that just about every college/university team in the country would have had this person actually fence someone by now. Therefore, by definition, the OP would find better fencing somewhere else, it seems.

The OP could probably find a better club/coach in NYC than most places (and knowing nothing about weapon/sex, NYC is always the safest bet). But I'm not yet convinced that the current coaching situation is optimal. There are probably bad coaches in NYC too : P Even good coaches make poor matches for some people, or bad decisions.

Huh. Didn't realize how ignorant people (other than Oiuyt) think I am.....

[prototoast]

The OP doesn't want to tell us where the OP is receiving lessons, and has not yet actually fenced. I'm pretty sure that just about every college/university team in the country would have had this person actually fence someone by now. Therefore, by definition, the OP would find better fencing somewhere else, it seems.

The OP could probably find a better club/coach in NYC than most places (and knowing nothing about weapon/sex, NYC is always the safest bet). But I'm not yet convinced that the current coaching situation is optimal. There are probably bad coaches in NYC too : P Even good coaches make poor matches for some people, or bad decisions.

Huh. Didn't realize how ignorant people (other than Oiuyt) think I am.....

The OP is probably autistic, which explains both why his coach doesn't want him to compete, and why he's thinking about revamping his whole life around a sport he's done for less than a year, and hasn't even competed in. Think about it... it makes sense.

[jeff]

I call de gustibus!

I have turned down jobs because the schedules would have interfered with fencing practices.

OTOH, I could also move somewhere that would increase my fencing and training opportunities, but do not choose to do so...

You've chosen to arrange your life to permit fencing, and to not rearrange your life to have more fencing. That's completely fine IMO. You're an adult and not a teenager, and an experienced fencer rather than somebody who has been taking lessons for a few months. The OP needs to be much further down the road before he decides to dedicate himself to fencing, that's all.

There is a Manhattan, Kansas, but I don't think there's much fencing there. In NYC, the OP has so many opportunities to fence at first-rate clubs while at school (and to attend schools with strong programs). But maybe he/she needs to get a look outside his coach's club and see what's there rather than reject what he hasn't seen yet...

[Inquartata]

I just find it odd that people are telling someone else what he "needs" to do, and what his priorities "ought to be", that's all. I know that I personally would resent that. I think it's presumptuous, frankly. Plus I don't think that's eveny the sort of advice for which the OP was asking...

[jeff]

what's the point of being old dudes if we can't give some young 'un unsolicited life advice?

But it's not really unsolicited advice: OP says "I'd like to get some opinions". That sounds pretty clear.

[oiuyt]

I think people should make a priority of their life telling other people not to tell people what their priorities ought to be.

Preferably in Latin.

-B

[Inquartata]

what's the point of being old dudes if we can't give some young 'un unsolicited life advice?

Kids!
You can talk and talk 'til your face is blue!
Kids! But they still do just what they want to do!
Why can't they be like we were?
Perfect in every way?
What's the matter with kids today?

But it's not really unsolicited advice: OP says "I'd like to get some opinions". That sounds pretty clear.

In context, though, it's a specific request for advice about

I really, REALLY want to compete and get somewhere, and I am willing to not go away to college so I can do that. I am wondering, though... do I really have a shot? Before I put college plans on hold, I'd like to get some opinions.

as opposed to general life advice, or even "Which is more important, college or fencing?"

I think people should make a priority of their life telling other people not to tell people what their priorities ought to be.

Preferably in Latin.

-B

But then, as several referees informed me today after seeing here refereeing so soon after Zonals, you are obviously "sick in the head".

I mean, non compos mentis.

[ysbadadden]

First of all, you can become a top fencer starting at your age. -- as several posters have said, the odds are against anyone becomeing an elite fencers, but at your age it's still possible; plus you might have a longer career than many who start much younger.
Second, IF you want to start this late and get to the top, the road you are pursuing (lots of technique before competition or even sparring) offers you the best chance.
On the other hand, if you want to find out if you have the potential, you might want to sneak off and try a competition or two -- not to see if you win, but to see if you like it.
For anything that rewards only one in ten thousand (fencing) or 100,000 (professional "major" sports,) or 1,000,000 ("star" level pop music), the odds are against you. Duh. You want to live your dream. May the force be with you. But only you can decide how far you want to follow your dream before you decide (possibly) that it was an illusion.