Tyshler Fencing School athletes prepare for Olympic qualifiers in April
Fencers give their all in training for the honour of representing South Africa at the Olympics.
Swords are slashing, parrying and thrusting faster and fiercer than ever at the Tyshler Fencing School, as the group’s elite athletes aim for qualification in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The Praegville venue is alive week in and week out because qualifications start in April and include 10 international events that fencers need points from to earn a spot on the national team, and also help South Africa qualify for the sport’s biggest tournament.
“There are 12 different events in fencing at the Olympics, which are too many to discuss. But we are aiming for men’s épée,” said Dr Gennady Tycher, who runs the school and also coaches the national team.
He said South Africa was the second-ranked country in Africa in men’s épée and would likely need to overtake Egypt to earn qualification.
For that reason, the fencing group’s Harry Saner and Sergei Losevski are currently competing in one of the Fencing World Cups (there are several each year) in Doha.
The next World Cup is in Germany later in February before another in Prais in May. Then comes the African Championships in Egypt in June and the World Championships (not to be confused with a world cup) in Milan in July.
Manyane Sefularo said there were few feelings better than representing one’s country at one of these events.
“There is so much pride as I walk in with the South African flag,” said the fencer of 15 years and coach of five years.
“I plan to keep on competing at the top level but I am also focusing on passing on my knowledge to the next generation.”
Speaking of which, SA junior team member, Alexander Tafur (18) has competed in both epée and foil internationally.
“There are many aspects to fencing that I cherish, it keeps your fitness up while also improving how you approach a problem,” he said.
“Every opponent brings their unique challenges and thus a unique solution you yearn and strive to find. Moreover, the sword becomes an extension of yourself, and the power it grants you does wonders for your confidence and resilience. Hence, fencing allows you to grow stronger, both physically and mentally.”
The determination in training shown by the elite fencers has of course filtered down to everyone else, so even beginners in their early lessons are working extra hard.
African Championships were held in June last year and the team’s Harry Saner won bronze in individual épée and the South African team won bronze in the team event.
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