James Dunmall, of Royal Tunbridge Wells Fencing Club, and Eliana Yunusi Parikh, of Luso International, both won silver medals at the EFC U14 competition in Zrenjanin, Serbia, on the 17th-18th May.
Interview and images provided by Paul Beasley:
What does this medal mean to you?
James: It is the achievement of all the hours put in training and attending fencing camps over the last few years. I am thrilled that all this work got rewarded with a silver medal at an EFC U14 competition.
Eliana: I’m proud of how I fenced in the competition after a bit of a shaky start in the poules and it’s my best result in an EFC competition so far.
What was the biggest challenge?
James: It is undoubtedly fencing people we have never fenced against before and working out how to defeat them. Also, the coaches’ etiquette on the side of the piste is totally unique, as it is very loud unlike in England. You have to work even harder at staying focused.
Eliana: Timing and staying calm.
What have you learned from this experience?
James: Even if fencing is an individual sport at EFC U14 level, the support from our fellow GBR colleagues (boys and girls) is crucial to keep our fighting spirit throughout any EFC tournaments.
Eliana: Believe in yourself and not be intimidated by fencers’ rankings.
Who helped you get there?
James: Without any doubt, my Head Coach, Paul Beasley, and the coaching Team from RTWFC, as well as my fencing fellows from the club.
Eliana: My mum and my coaches, Antonio Frulio and James Roberts, at Luso International Fencing and my club mates.
What’s the moment you are proudest of at this competition?
James: Winning the semi-final, as I had to deliver very high standards of fencing against my opponent, who has won a few EFC U14 competitions himself. It was a very close game to the end.
Eliana: My third DE against Serbian fencer Una Petkovic (EFC U14 ranked 3). It was doubles almost the whole way until the last period with one minute to go, and I got a single hit lead. I had to stay calm and maintain the lead which I did winning 15-12. It was tough because my opponent had a much longer reach than me.
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