From our special correspondent in Tokyo,
Her name is Arianna Errigo, and she almost gave us a raw subject in the mouth, the kind to swallow whole like Flamby. The Italian did not go far from becoming the first athlete (that we know) to try his luck on two weapons at the Olympics. Foil, of which she is a recognized specialist (Olympic champion, world champion, anyway)… and saber, where, it seems, she had quite the level to chew the competition in qualifying. The Italian federation vetoed it at some point. In short, the story intrigued us. What makes a fencer choose the sword? Why would a foil keeper be unsuccessful in shooting with a saber, and vice versa? A tricolor specialist in each weapon sticks to it for
20 minutes
.
Pauline Ranvier, foil: "The valid surface for touching is that of danger"
“I started in the workshop in primary school, and he was a fencing master who did foil.
I didn't even know there were other weapons, I only found out much later.
What I like about foil is that the key is not necessarily given to the first one to beep the machine.
Thanks to the priority [whoever initiates the movement will be rewarded even if the opponent touches too], there is a whole tactical sense to develop on the track.
Whoever attacks really decides which touch he wants to apply.
And then I like the idea that the valid surface to touch is that of danger, the one that could kill or have you killed in the duels of the past.
We are clearly a mix between the patience of the sword and the explosiveness of the saber.
Besides, we are the only ones who can use the sword and the saber for fun.
Me for example, I was military world champion in saber.
While you put a swordsman with a saber, it's a disaster, and the reverse, the same.
Do we get roomed because we are the poor man's weapon?
Everyone is in their bedroom.
The sword is not very complicated, as soon as you touch you have a point.
The saber goes so fast that even they do not know if they are right or they are wrong ”.
Last training in Nishikatsura before the departure of the 🇫🇷 for the Olympic village.
Maximum concentration 🔥🤺 #ffescrime pic.twitter.com/QVWJ2zhnxk
- French Fencing Federation (@ffescrime) July 19, 2021
Romain Cannone, sword: "I like the idea of setting traps"
“I did foil like everyone else, but I started fencing in the United States, and very quickly my Ukrainian coaches oriented me towards épée because it suited my size better, and even to my mentality. Since I'm small for a fencer, I liked the idea of being able to set traps. Being able to touch the whole body helps. For example, I love to go touch the foot or the top of the hand. I play chess a lot, well I played, and I think I recognized myself more in the spirit of strategy that the sword requires. Confront an opponent who may have a very different build, imagine stratagems to lure him somewhere and see him fall into the trap during the assault.
And then the two points touch [in épée, the two shooters can be granted the touch on the same engagement], that means that each action, even badly started, is important.
Can I see myself doing something else?
I like the saber, it's very stylish, the explosiveness, the intensity.
Foil is an almost hand and advanced technique, it's not my thing.
For me who likes to go quickly in my decision-making and follow a strategy, the sword is still the best ”.
Cécilia Barder, saber: "Like the start of a 100 meters"
“I returned to Quimper in a club where there were the three weapons. I started with foil, but the thing where you have to look at your eyes for five minutes to hope you can touch each other ... I got bored quickly. The coach told me "Come with me next door, there are only guys, but you'll like it". I saw the guys jump at their throats I said "this is what I want". Today, you tell me that I have to do foil, I stop fencing. The sword? It's as different from saber as the 100m of a marathon. It is a weapon for patient, strategist, enduring shooters.
The saber, you are really in the 100m starts.
The one who wins with us, each time is the smartest, the one who gives you a leg up to end up in front of you in the schoolyard.
I admit that there is a less technically demanding side because you can touch with the edge, but it gives nicer gestures.
My favorite touch?
The parry retorts, you give the other the possibility of thinking that he is going to touch you, but with your authority you release him and you say to him "you will not touch me".
There is a form of courage because you let the blade approach you very close to you ”.
Sport
To read also: Olympic Games Tokyo 2021: "The history of man is beautiful", Luka Mkheidze, or the most beautiful medal that France could wish for at the opening
To read also: Olympic Games Tokyo 2021: “Judo saved me”… Amandine Buchard, from the abysses to the Olympic dream
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Tokyo Olympics 2021
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