Adam Kortynski with gold medal |
Most people’s knowledge of fencing is limited to scenes from movies like Zorro or Three Musketeers. However, for the Polish Australian Fencing Club (PAFC) dueling is a serious competitive sport. The PAFC is the only fencing club at Blacktown City and North Western Sydney.
Fencers from PAFC took part this year in many fencing tournaments. The 2011 NSW Schools State Championships were held in May and June at the private Newington College at Stanmore. In this tournament started the record number of over 200 fencers, both boys and girls, in age categories U11, U13, U15 and Seniors from Sydney and NSW schools and colleges including Sydney Gramma, St Aloysius College, Barker College, Hills Gramma, Nth Sydney Boys HS, MLC and Newington College.
Fencing competitions are usually divided into two parts: the pools, and the Direct Eliminations (DE). In the pools, fencers are placed in groups. In every group each fencer fights with every other fencer once. Bouts are to 5 hits with limited time. DE bouts in U13 and younger age categories are to 10 hits with two periods of clear fencing time of 3 minutes each and 1 minute break between them. In U15 and above age categories DE bouts are to 15 hits with three periods of clear fencing time of 3 minutes. The winner of the DE bout carries on in the tournament up to the final, and loser is eliminated. Time of the bouts seems to be short but both mental and physical stamina is needed to survive the tough bouts and competitions. At foil and sabre the referee, by applying the rules of priority, decided to whom the point should be awarded.
For our 12 years old Adam Taras it is the first season in the U13 category. Year 2010 he was classified at the 1st place (Overall Winner) in both U11 Boys' Sabre & Foil at NSW Fencing Grand Prix ranking. At School Championships Adam represented St. Angela’s P.S. from Castle Hill. At sabre Adam had a great beginning by winning all of his 5 bouts. As the result of this he was ranked on 1st position for DE. In DE Adam reached quarter finals where lost to later winner. Adam was content with his well earned bronze medal. At foil Adam finished 5th in the field of 53 fencers.
This year Adam also won bronze medal at foil at Roberta Nut NSW tournament and was twice 2nd at sabre competitions.
Adam Kortynski second from left |
Adam Taras second from left |
Raechel first from left |
Adam Kortynski and Raechel Rudolph proudly represented St Andrews College from Marayong. At senior sabre Adam, after exiting duels, won silver medal. In group eliminations Adam won all bouts. Next going smoothly throughout DE Adam reached final. At the final Adam lost marginally because of his tactical mistakes and some doubtful referee’s decisions. In foil, which now is his second weapon, Adam lost DE bout for place in quarter final and was classified between 8 to 16 places among over 80 fencers.
On 5th June Adam started at cadet sabre. In the final he met the same fencer to whom he lost previously. This time Adam didn’t repeated previous mistakes and won decidedly the bout scoring clear hits and was awarded with a gold medal.
For Raechel this was 1st School Championships. In foil group eliminations she fenced exceptionally well and as a result won 4 bouts in a row. This set her up in good place for DE. The most exciting was the DE duel to 15 hits in a quarte-final. After 9 minutes of tough fighting during which the lead was moving from one side to another, the final result was13:13. The Referee drew the priority, as always in such a situation. The fate indicated Raechel’s opponent, what meant that if during 1 minute of extra time, neither fencer scores the hit, the victory go to the winner of a draw. Bout has been restarted for one deciding minute or hit. In the last seconds Raechel scored a hit and both fencers thought that she won the bout and a minimum a bronze medal. Unfortunately Referee decided that time expired before she scored the hit and gave the winning to Raechel’s opponent. Many of other fencers came up to her to give words of praise and encouragement. Even the parents commented on her great fighting spirit. At the end she was classified at the 7th place. At sabre Raechel finished 6th.
If you want to try fencing and to cross swords with fencers come to our trainings at Sports Hall, St Andrews College, 116 Quakers Rd, Marayong, Tuesdays & Fridays from 6.30pm to 8.00pm. Contact: 0425 283 683 polaustfencing.page.ti
Adam Taras - bout from right |
Bout - Raechel on left |
Raechel at competitions |
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