Mark Peros: Diary of a Fencer

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Pan-am Championships.






















What a week! All 32 fencers, coaches, physiotherapists, referee's and management met last Saturday morning in Montreal. We boarded a bus, nerves and excitement in hand as we departed for Mt. Tremblant, Quebec.






Since I've been selected (promoted) to Athlete Representative on the CFF Board the last couple of months have been a little nerve racking. The organizational challenges, political blunders and down right no good monkey business from many South American countries had put a damper on these Games.....resulting in some countries pulling out of the event only a couple of days beforehand. I was told not to get the athletes involved with all of these mishaps....(but unfortunately word travels fast).....because our job was to focus on one thing, and that was FENCING!
Granted it was a spectacular venue and location. Whether or not it was absolutely necessary is another story. Having to spend between $60-$80 a day on food wasn't the best of ideas, we all agreed on that. So it was off to the IGA where we stocked up on fruit, yogurt, bread and walnut maple porridge for the mornings. Can't take the porridge outta the kid!!!

Supporting the other team mates at any Games is really important. It can really help the confidence and push you to higher levels of intensity. For me, it was just great fun.....being the social animal I am I was totally in my element.

The first pic here is of Jean-Marie, our National Coach sitting with Ayash, a Canadian referee. Then some scenic shots of the mountain, the village and the hot tub area where Olga, one of our sabre girls, is relaxing amongst the bubbles. Life is tough, eh!

With all that said, unfortunately I must be the bearer of bad news. After beating the Venezuelans in the semi-finals 45-37 we lost in the finals to the Americans 45-34. An explanation............... well, they have the experience of fencing in the 2004 Olympic Games, physically they're stronger and made fewer mistakes. There was no funny business, they just flat out beat us. Honestly they deserved the win. They are all good guys and who work really hard at it, and have a great depth in the sport that takes years to find. I've included two pics of the medal presentation, along with us the US Team consists of Jason Rogers, Ivan Lee, Keith Smart and Timothy Morehouse.

I was really pumped that my family made the trip up too. Mom, Dad and my bro Matt (my sister is in Halifax) who spent the night at a B&B were of great support. PLUS, the presence of some amazing friends who took a day off of work to cheer, heckle and do what they do best...PARTY!!!! Thanks to Devine, Val, Brad and Carrie for making the trip.

So where does that leave us.....???? Well, we have the World Championships at the end of next month in Russia which will be our last opportunity to make any kind of headway. It may end up that we will face the US again in the first round, going by the point standings right now. We will have to go back and analyze the match and come up with some key tactics and a new strategy if we want this win. It will be a story if we can pull it off.
Oh ya, there are a couple of pics of me dancing in a cage (again) on FaceBook......just in case you're interested!!!!!
See you soon.