FORTUNE ROC - 2025/2026 SEASON OPENER

Alright, I know I know I wasn’t consistent at the end of the last season as I promised. I got called up to the 2025 Senior World Cup in Korea but had to withdraw due to my leg injury. More on that later in the post. This season I will be more diligent about posting during the fencing season and training. Season Opener - Fortune ROC this year was very different than last year (the first post) but overall I’m so grateful and excited for this season. Read on to find out why!

Okay! The new Fencing Season has officially started!

Now I’m aware that after March I stopped posting about my training and competitions. That I apologize for and will do better this season! Let me catch you guys up! First, I was waitlisted for the Senior Women’s World Cup in Seoul, Korea at the beginning of May. I got off the waitlist and was called up. Unfortunately, my leg was flaring up (pulled a muscle) and I felt I wanted to be 100% confident in my body and abilities before I do another International Tournament. I was still so excited for the call up (saved the email) and extremely grateful that after less than a year coming out of retirement I got waitlisted and then called up.

I spent the majority of the off-season trying to heal my leg and resting. As well as taking a much needed mental reset after the deaths of my 2 Uncles back to back.

Two weeks ago I started back with my private lessons and I was happy that my off-season training was working out as I saw improvement but underrating the new way of Fencing. Last week an impromptu fencing bout with a top fencer at my club confirmed that my skill set was coming back. This fencer back in December 2024 (3 months out of retirement) wiped the floor with me! Lol. What’s worse the score was 0-5 and he beat me in like a minute. I truly wasn’t’ understanding the new rules and my form was still a longggggg way to go before I was back to my old fencing self. Fast Forward to August 2025 and I beat the same fencer 5-2 and in 2 minutes and caused him to come out of his fencing shoe. The win was nice but for me it was the confirmation that I was getting it and so much closer to my form.

Now fast forward to the Season Opener - Fortune Fencing ROC - August 30th to September 1st, 2025. I got my new membership card BUT I forgot to register in time so this year I was not fencing lol. Instead, I decided to go and watch and learn and remember the referees and what each one looks for in scoring etc.

I am happy to say that one of the coaches that laughed at me and pointed at me while laughing last season. Saw me and just kept a straight face and didn’t really acknowledge me, for me that was the best because I’d rather someone act like they didn’t see me than be unsportsmanlike and laugh at me. I was surprised that my old fencing buddy ignored me due to being loved up with his new girlfriend since we’ve always been buds and he said hi to everyone around me lol. I just chalked that up to immaturity and clearly friendships have seasons no matter how long you’ve known someone.

The highlight of the entire season opener was seeing my first Coach - G. (in my opinion the Coach who molded my brother and I). When I first saw Coach G. I almost didn’t believe it than I was so nervous to say hi because he was focused and I had a flashback to years ago when those same looks would make know I’d have to run more or do some sort of extra training. After his student finished fencing I ran up to my Coach and we talked and it was like no time has past. I told him how before I used to HATE fencing and never appreciated the sport like my brother did (of course he knowingly said nothing but stared) and I was so happy to tell him that I’m actually loving the sport! I get the amazing facets and complexity of why this sport has stood the test of time. That made Coach G. smile. Just in talking etc. I remembered how he molded me to the World Cups and ultimately getting me recruited for University. I laugh because my brother and I both were some very strong willed and temperamental people and to be able to Coach that is like a miracle.

It made me want to go back also to Coach G. if I’m able to with my adulting schedule and his schedule. I believe everything happens for a reason! I didn’t see Coach G. last year when I had decided to un-retire but now officially 1 year out of retirement I see the Coach who made me the fencer I was and it sparked me to want to add his skills to my regimen (I say that but I gotta make sure my body holds up lol).

Overall, I’m excited for this season and enjoying this time around all of it - the technique, the focus, the cliquishness etc. all of it.

Until next time!