Rashid Takes Bronze Medal in Women's Foil At 2011 Sunshine State Games!

Rashid with her two coaches, Sasha & Boyko of the Tampa Fencing Academy at the 2011 Sunshine State Games.

The  Sunshine State Games Fencing Tournament took place June 18 & June 19th in Lakeland, Fl. I participated in competition both days. On Saturday, I competed in the Women's Foil event. On Sunday, I competed in the Women's Epee.

I decided to break this post into two parts mainly  because of the length of the post. I also wanted to provide some insights into my experience as a fencer of multiple weapons.

Day 1 - Women's Foil. Result: Bronze Medal

I warmed up pretty good by running around the gym a few times and stretching. I started off with a really nice foil lesson from my coach (Sasha) and had a few warm up bouts.

I started off well in my pool and then all of a sudden my right quad locked up. I felt it tighten and lunging became a big risk. Every time I tried to lunge, I felt pain in the area that I had torn years ago at the 2007 National Championships held in Miami. I got really concerned because early next month I have to again compete at the Nationals Championships but this time in Reno, NV.

Lucky for me there was an angel present. Another fencer had brought his girlfriend that used to be a massage therapist. She took it upon herself to help me by massaging the area gently to increase the circulation and then getting me ice. Eventually, we found some physical therapists on site that taped me up and applied the Bio Freeze.

All this attention to my hamstring allowed me to get through the event with good results. By the direct eliminations (DE's), I was taped and wearing a knee brace for additional support. I was able to move very well on the strip especially by using fleches instead of lunges.   I made it to the final four and finished with a Bronze Medal in the Women's Foil event.  Not too bad considering I was injured and hadn't be seriously competing in foil since 2007.

While I am pleased with the result, I realize that I need to compete in more foil events and find more high level fencers to practice bout with. Looks like I will need to put some more miles on my car to find the talent...

P.