Post by Flamberge on Sept 21, 2006 12:30:28 GMT -6
Bobcat Open
I got this e-mail from Pietro Sanfilippo's mom and I want to share this with anyone who is interested to see how fencing in Texas is perceived by a parent of a young athlete visiting from abroad. Other than some minor editing this is what she sent me (translated).
You may also remember that Pietro is the young (16) fencer from Italy who arrived in Houston last year with his family following his father temporary assignment with Exxon-Mobil here. Pietro had been fencing since the age of 8 in Catania, Italy, under Maestro Gianni Sperlinga, and he now holds the enviable record of dashing from an U to an A in 35 days early this year. He is a wonderful young man who in few months had to learn a new language, make friends, learn the ropes of fencing in US (ratings and all), and still he managed academically to make the dean's list at the end of his first school year in Houston.
He has made great friends at Alliance Fencing Academy in Houston, went with Andrey and 10 other fencers to a fabulous summer camp in Russia, and is known by many fencers in the Division and Section who have crossed blades with him. We are lucky to have such a nice young man and dedicated fencer with us.
Here's Pietro's mom in her own words.
What a beautiful day it was this past Sunday! [Bobcat Open in San Marcos]
At the end we all had a party, grownups, kids, dining and celebrating all together.
A trio of Indians (parents and son) joined our group. I did not know them probably because they are not in our club but Max [Ferguson] and Nathan [Sorensen] parents did know them. This young Indian boy is just like Pietro and Skopik (son), not a big/tall fellow so we all rooted for him while he fenced against [Jonathan] Parker and since afterwards it was Pietro's turn to fence against Parker everyone was then rooting for Pietro who "returned the favor" by really teaching the tall guy [Parker] a lesson. There was some good competitive spirit there and Parker finished 8th...
Anyone who fences knows how hard it is to win and this is what makes it fun! But I also ask myself how many understand how easy it is to lose and how bitter a loss sometimes taste? However, I remember these lines in "Jerusalem Delivered" by Torquato Tasso which everyone, fencers, their parents, their coaches should memorize:
fu perdente e vincente, e ne le averse
fortune fu maggior che quando vinse.
he lost and he won, and in adverse
fortune he was greater than when he won
It was almost touching to see all our kids [Alliance Fencing Academy] at the end of each bout giving each other tactical advice, sharing their previous experience (good or bad) with the opponents... Even though fencing is not a team sport, I am glad to see how it provides an excellent human "glue" between individuals at our club. It was also very nice towards the end, when only the top fencers are still hanging around, and all the true friends stick together to the end... and then when it's all over they call the names of our kids, even mispronouncing a few (San Felipe for Sanfilippo) ... people get even closer...
A nice gentleman whose name I forgot but who fences at Skopik's club was so kind in helping Pietro when his epee came apart at the first bout (this is standard operating procedure for Pietro: he always breaks a weapon and never has enough spares). This kind gentleman helped us in a difficult situation and we are very grateful for his generosity and sportsmanship.
Andrey [Geva] ought to be really proud: another "A" this one finally and well deserved for Nathan. Pietro finished third. Daniel Trapani did OK also and finished 7th but I must tell you it was a tough competition. Did you notice how our kids when they win they say it was easy (after, not before) and when they lose they say it was hard or that they were not into it?
Truth is that there were a lot of "sacred cows" at this tournament and our kids did all very well and were always ready to fight with honor. A BIG THANK YOU TO ANDREY! Pietro capitalized on a move Andrey taught him and had practiced with him in his lessons, namely how to hit while retreating. This is something Pietro learned only from Andrey!
I'm grateful to Andrey for insisting that the kids go to this tournament because (maybe he could "see" this with his clinical eye) they all acquitted themselves beautifully and this charges them for the upcoming NAC. BRAVO ANDREY.
I need to ask you one more favor: please explain to Andrey that I want to personally thank him for the excellent work he's doing with Pietro. Andrey has proven to be a great coach for Pietro in taking over from his old Maestro Gianni Sperlinga and caring for the psychological needs of a young boy who literally adores his old Maestro as if he were a second father. You know that I'd have some difficulties to explain this to him clearly. THANK YOU!
Dinner afterwards was exquisite thanks to Nathan's dad. You know, for someone not familiar with local uses and costumes, going out to eat presents more than one question mark and there is always some "suspense" between the time you order and when they actually bring you the food you ordered. Mr. Sorensen took the responsibility to order my food (you might thing this not a big deal, but it isn't so) and he is now my hero also because, company aside, the food was delicious...
Mrs. Freiman couldn't join us because (we found the reason later) she had locked herself out of her car with the keys inside the trunk! I felt sorry she couldn't be with us because she is such a nice and wonderful lady.
We missed you... All I wanted to do was to tell you what happened and I got carried away... (might it be that his is the effect of living in the US?). No problem, this is how I write to my friends!
Love,
Giuseppina
I got this e-mail from Pietro Sanfilippo's mom and I want to share this with anyone who is interested to see how fencing in Texas is perceived by a parent of a young athlete visiting from abroad. Other than some minor editing this is what she sent me (translated).
You may also remember that Pietro is the young (16) fencer from Italy who arrived in Houston last year with his family following his father temporary assignment with Exxon-Mobil here. Pietro had been fencing since the age of 8 in Catania, Italy, under Maestro Gianni Sperlinga, and he now holds the enviable record of dashing from an U to an A in 35 days early this year. He is a wonderful young man who in few months had to learn a new language, make friends, learn the ropes of fencing in US (ratings and all), and still he managed academically to make the dean's list at the end of his first school year in Houston.
He has made great friends at Alliance Fencing Academy in Houston, went with Andrey and 10 other fencers to a fabulous summer camp in Russia, and is known by many fencers in the Division and Section who have crossed blades with him. We are lucky to have such a nice young man and dedicated fencer with us.
Here's Pietro's mom in her own words.
What a beautiful day it was this past Sunday! [Bobcat Open in San Marcos]
At the end we all had a party, grownups, kids, dining and celebrating all together.
A trio of Indians (parents and son) joined our group. I did not know them probably because they are not in our club but Max [Ferguson] and Nathan [Sorensen] parents did know them. This young Indian boy is just like Pietro and Skopik (son), not a big/tall fellow so we all rooted for him while he fenced against [Jonathan] Parker and since afterwards it was Pietro's turn to fence against Parker everyone was then rooting for Pietro who "returned the favor" by really teaching the tall guy [Parker] a lesson. There was some good competitive spirit there and Parker finished 8th...
Anyone who fences knows how hard it is to win and this is what makes it fun! But I also ask myself how many understand how easy it is to lose and how bitter a loss sometimes taste? However, I remember these lines in "Jerusalem Delivered" by Torquato Tasso which everyone, fencers, their parents, their coaches should memorize:
fu perdente e vincente, e ne le averse
fortune fu maggior che quando vinse.
he lost and he won, and in adverse
fortune he was greater than when he won
It was almost touching to see all our kids [Alliance Fencing Academy] at the end of each bout giving each other tactical advice, sharing their previous experience (good or bad) with the opponents... Even though fencing is not a team sport, I am glad to see how it provides an excellent human "glue" between individuals at our club. It was also very nice towards the end, when only the top fencers are still hanging around, and all the true friends stick together to the end... and then when it's all over they call the names of our kids, even mispronouncing a few (San Felipe for Sanfilippo) ... people get even closer...
A nice gentleman whose name I forgot but who fences at Skopik's club was so kind in helping Pietro when his epee came apart at the first bout (this is standard operating procedure for Pietro: he always breaks a weapon and never has enough spares). This kind gentleman helped us in a difficult situation and we are very grateful for his generosity and sportsmanship.
Andrey [Geva] ought to be really proud: another "A" this one finally and well deserved for Nathan. Pietro finished third. Daniel Trapani did OK also and finished 7th but I must tell you it was a tough competition. Did you notice how our kids when they win they say it was easy (after, not before) and when they lose they say it was hard or that they were not into it?
Truth is that there were a lot of "sacred cows" at this tournament and our kids did all very well and were always ready to fight with honor. A BIG THANK YOU TO ANDREY! Pietro capitalized on a move Andrey taught him and had practiced with him in his lessons, namely how to hit while retreating. This is something Pietro learned only from Andrey!
I'm grateful to Andrey for insisting that the kids go to this tournament because (maybe he could "see" this with his clinical eye) they all acquitted themselves beautifully and this charges them for the upcoming NAC. BRAVO ANDREY.
I need to ask you one more favor: please explain to Andrey that I want to personally thank him for the excellent work he's doing with Pietro. Andrey has proven to be a great coach for Pietro in taking over from his old Maestro Gianni Sperlinga and caring for the psychological needs of a young boy who literally adores his old Maestro as if he were a second father. You know that I'd have some difficulties to explain this to him clearly. THANK YOU!
Dinner afterwards was exquisite thanks to Nathan's dad. You know, for someone not familiar with local uses and costumes, going out to eat presents more than one question mark and there is always some "suspense" between the time you order and when they actually bring you the food you ordered. Mr. Sorensen took the responsibility to order my food (you might thing this not a big deal, but it isn't so) and he is now my hero also because, company aside, the food was delicious...
Mrs. Freiman couldn't join us because (we found the reason later) she had locked herself out of her car with the keys inside the trunk! I felt sorry she couldn't be with us because she is such a nice and wonderful lady.
We missed you... All I wanted to do was to tell you what happened and I got carried away... (might it be that his is the effect of living in the US?). No problem, this is how I write to my friends!
Love,
Giuseppina