What is the secret behind balancing your studies and TuksFencing?
I would say time management and planning are the keys to success. If you want to achieve your goal, you have to prioritize and really concentrate on what you are doing.
Fencing can be learnt in a short time, however it takes a lifetime to master. Can you say you are still learning, or you have mastered it?
I would say I am definitely still learning. Each fencer has his or her own style and I learn something new with every bout I fence. It is a sport that still stimulates your brain until old age, for example, Hungarian epee fencer Géza Imre won a Silver medal in the 2016 Olympics at the age of 41 years old.
What did it feel like to win the Prague Fencing Tournament?
Coming from South Africa where fencing is not as well progressed as in Europe, I did not focus on winning. I was quite taken by surprise when I realized during the last match that I had won the tournament.
What is your state of mind, when you are competing?
Because fencing is more of a mind game, I focus on being very calm when I fence. I usually listen to music before a competition and run up a flight of stairs to clear my mind after each bout.
What did it take to get where you are now?
It took hard work and dedication fencing requires fitness, skill and experience. Lots of hours must be spent on the piste in order to get that experience and strength. On days I don’t fence, I exercise and run around the track. In grade 12 my father and I trained early mornings in our garage, just to get in extra time and then also again trained in the evenings.
Image: Prince Jiane
