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by Welcomzia » Fri Nov 27, 2015 11:38 am
by The Royal Kingdom of Quebec » Fri Nov 27, 2015 2:36 pm
20:00, August 12, 2019
Grand Palais
Quebec City, Capitale-Nationale
The arena was sweltering hot. The 2 minute point has passed, and a brief 'halte' was called by the referee to give fencers approximately one minute of rest, before coming back for the one last touche. It was the final bout of the national championships, the final event of the 2018-2019 fencing year. With many of the spots still up in the air ahead of olympics, which were to be held in a year's time, this was a very important competition for those who were looking to either seal their spot or make a run for it. The olympics, unlike in commonwealth games, were not selected in trials unless there were maximum 15 ranking points gaps between 2 fencers. Men's Fleuret was of this case: Gweon Joon Yi was left with a great chance to jump over at least 3 fencers ahead of him in rankings with a win, while a loss would force him to take his luck at olympic trials for either third or reserve spot. Pierre-Luc Gibson, on the other hand, was guaranteed the spot and was fighting for the sake of defending his last national title, which he won over 24-year old Ha Rhim Han from Quebec City.
With a minute and one point left in play, intensity was buzzing all over the final piste as they entered the final break. This was the matchup everybody's been looking forward to- The clash of the old and the new. Yi, fresh off the three-peat at the Junior Nationals earlier this year, was known as the future leader of the Quebecois fencing while Pierre-Luc Gibson was on his last national championships as fencer before the Olympics. Gweon Joon Yi was at left end, talking to his coach Ji Won Woo about how to penetrate through his opponent's garde, while Gibson sat by himself, drinking a bottle of water while waiting on the other side.
This was the match of contrasts and similarities. The bout's been close from beginning, with both sides trading points. It was very hard to gauge who was better or worse in it either: Both had distinctively different style of fencing, and were masters at theirs. Gibson was a left-hander whose technical proficiency was unparalleled in country, while Yi had his strong footwork and unpredictability making him a highly lethal, spider-like fencer. With such closely-contested fencers, it was of no surprise that the score was 14-14, leaving it up to one final point for the winner to score.
Both of them also had their own stocks on the match itself and its significance. Yi knew the gold at here would qualify for the Olympics to make some big difference and gain experiences before coming back for the Pierre Savoix Cup and next Commonwealth Games. The 16-year old was already ranked high enough to be considered for it, but with his relative inexperience, coming away with the win was essential in guaranteeing his spot at the olympic team. Otherwise he might not be able to get his spot on the olympic team due to the fact that there were 3-4 fencers around his ranking range of 2-9 who were lot more experienced, meaning that they were more likely to be considered by the FQIE for the olympic trials.
Gibson understood the feeling his opponent had in his mind, as he stared at Yi talking to his coach and trainer about staying calm. Ironically enough, this was also the position that the 38-year old Gibson had to go through 16 years ago. The Haida Gwaii native, then coming off the 3rd consecutive QIS individual title, had to go through a series of grueling match against Radim Mörátáán and Ilya Sedov in Semifinals and final at the Quebecom Centre, Attawapiskat. It didn't come off easy in any means, but he worked through the opponents' deficiencies and pulled impressive wins after wins to land him a spot in national team, which were followed by medals after medals in international competitions since then.
Life is a cycle, Pierre-Luc thought to himself, as he silently put his gears back on. Nothing more than repetition of what's happened to you, happening to others. This thought, as he got older and older, came to him even more. Gone were days when he was guaranteed to win every competition after competition: those days were already upended by strong competition from both younger fencers in and out of Quebec, and every bout was a sign that he won't be fencing forever as he'd like to believe so.
And now, with the fencer less than half his age challenging him, Gibson felt as if this was a deja vu. The era, 20 years of dominance by this generation of fencers, might be on its end after all. Everybody from that "Golden Kids" generation were gone: It came when Felix Ahn's forced to retire 4 years ago after a car crash that affected nerves around his neck. This then was followed by series of retirement on other anchors of the team: Sergei Miromanov also retired for Men's Epee, while on foil came Yannick Ahn and Michel Lalonde-Putt. Only 2 fencers remained and they won't be back after the Olympics (which they already qualified for): Gibson himself and Marcel Cody-Yi.
Shortly after, he heard the passing of 1-minute mark for the break and slowly headed out of the resting spot.
"14-14, one more," Pierre-Luc Gibson muttered as he entered the piste. The last point of the National Championship Finals of the Men's Fleuret (Foil) was a minute away and it was his turn to score again. He would've cheered himself up if it was other occasion but somehow he wasn't in mood for it. It was as if he just wanted to get this over and done with. He didn't know where this was exactly coming from, but assumed that this was the sign that he's close to his career-end.
The two fencers stood behind their own lines, placing themselves in loose en garde position. The referee shouted in his hoarse voice, 'En Garde, Pret, Allez' and the final round began. It wasn't a long round- in fact way shorter than expected of fencers of this calibre. It was Gibson who attacked first: He stepped forward, gave himself a little bit of acceleration and lunged forward. His opponent, knowing the gap below his left arm, quickly parried on a Septime and went for a riposte. It was something that Yi struggled to do all through the bout, even after trying all he could. Yet everything seemed to work on his favour this time- the foot distance between the two were much closer this time, and with the flick Gibson's defence was successfully penetrated.
The Red light flashed on his mask and a beep went for a second. Yi lifted his mask and arms up, before sliding to the end of the piste. Gibson, bitter about his last charge, slowly looked around and sighed while he watched Yi celebrating the victory with his coach and father. For long the young star of the National Team, he was now out of the podium by another promising star in place. This was what the Quebecois fencing needed for years: the change in fleuret. Yet this was all still new to Gibson, and he was left drained by the reality, as he shook hands with the referee and then heavily-smiling Yi.
The Champion has fallen.
Name: Pierre Luc Daniel Schreier-Gibson
Hometown: Haida Gwaii, Manitoba
Born: August 12, 1983, Montreal, Montreal
Commonwealth Teams: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018
Event: Fleuret (Foil)
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 185 lbs
College: MA in Political Science at Farrer University (2006), BA in Political Science at Queen's University (2005)
High School: Mount Kiefer Secondary School, Haida Gwaii
Coach: Fabio Tiraboschi
Family: Parents: Honore Gibson and Dana Schreier, Siblings: Janice Gibson-Paek and Riley G. Segal, Wife: Coralie Watson, Kids: Emily, Lee and Rene Watson-Gibson
Hobbies and interests: Human rights issues, photography, marketing, cannabis
Most people would be surprised to know that: I fluently speak 7 different languages- English, French, Korean, Haida, Spanish, Italian and Tsimshian
Favorite Movie: High in Skoke
Favorite TV Show: Frente a Frente
Role Model: Olivier Orádzi. He was one of the best in the world when I was young and I always admire his persistence and mentality whenever he's at the piste.
Current Quebec Ranking: No. 2
Current Commonwealth Ranking: No. 3Honours:
- 2018, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005 QCIE Senior World Cup Champion
- 2003 QCIE Junior World Cup Champion
- 2008, 2009 and 2015 Xavier Sekwihonelteni Trophy recipient as Manitoba's professional athlete of the year
- Three-time QIS All-Quebecois and Champions (2003-05)
- Four-time OUA Champions (2002-05)
- Commonwealth Games Teams: 2018 (Individual- Silver, Team- Gold), 2014 (Team- Silver), 2010 (Individual- Gold, Team- Gold), 2006 (Individual- Gold, Team- Gold)
- Senior Commonwealth Championship Teams: 2019 (Team- Silver), 2018 (Individual- Gold, Team- Gold), 2017 (Team- Silver), 2016 (Individual- Gold, Team- Silver), 2015 (Individual- Gold, Team- Gold), 2014 (Individual- Silver, Team- Bronze), 2013 (Individual- Silver, Team- Gold), 2012 (Individual- Silver, Team- Gold), 2011 (Team- Bronze), 2010 (Individual- Silver, Team- Gold), 2009 (Individual- Gold, Team- Gold), 2008 (Individual- Gold, Team- Gold), 2007 (Individual- Gold, Team- Silver), 2006 (Team- Gold), 2005 (Individual- Gold, Team- Gold), 2004 (Invididual- Bronze, Team- Gold), 2003 (Individual- Silver)
- Junior Commonwealth Championship Teams: 2003 (Individual- Gold, Team- Gold), 2002 (Team- Silver), 2001 (Individual- Silver)
- Cadet Commonwealth Championship Teams: 2000 (Individual- Bronze), 1999 (Team- Silver), 1998
Personal: One of most distinguished fencers in Quebecois fencing history, Gibson's career was the one that started quietly. Gibson watched a fencing championship in television when he was a 7-year old and says he begged his mother to let him take up the sport. Gibson's mother, Dana Schreier, looked up fencing clubs in the local area and found the Haida Gwaii Fencing Club. The family showed up to practice on a Monday evening, met then-National Fleuret team coach Olivier Orádzi, and started to fence for the club.
A four-time Junior Commonwealth medalist, Gibson's career skyrocketed. An all-around athlete, Pierre-Luc competed on his high school's volleyball and rowing teams for all 4 years and began his fencing career as Gaels fencer after winning silver medal at Commonwealth Junior Championships the very summer earlier. He graduated in 2005 with bachelor's degree in political science, leaving behind legacy of Foil success in Cornwall with 3 individual championships and a national championship banner, the latter of which happened in his graduation season marked by the Thundering Three of (Felix) Ahn, Gibson and (Marcel) Cody-Yi.
Following graduation, he went on to make history, winning countless championship titles and medals, including 6 medals in Commonwealth Games and 15 gold medals in Commonwealth Championships. Gibson was the top-ranked fencer in the Fleuret category of the Commonwealth rankings in the conclusion of 8 years, and is currently ranked 3rd in commonwealth rankings.
Gibson credits his coaches with greatest influences on his career: "Fabio has been there through my career and gave me the steps and directions to allow me be the fencer that I am right now. Thirty years I've fenced under him were there as marks of personal success not only as a fencer, but also a human being."
by Ficiscia » Fri Nov 27, 2015 4:39 pm
by Electrum » Fri Nov 27, 2015 6:00 pm
All the Silver Athletes
All the silver athletes (All the silver athletes)
All the silver athletes (All the silver athletes)
All the silver athletes (All the silver athletes)
All the silver athletes
Now accept the silver
You don't need gold, you don't need bronze
We do it the Electrum way
You did your very best, but now they wanna give
Cause another person had beat you
You're up on bronze, But your down gold
Don't pay them any attention
Cause you tried your best, for a cycle
We can't be mad at you
Chorus:
Cause we're already putting a silver-medal on you
We're already putting a silver-medal on you
Don't be mad that you were nearly the best
We're already putting a silver-medal on you
Wuh uh oh uh uh oh oh uh oh uh uh oh
Wuh uh oh uh uh oh oh uh oh uh uh oh
Chorus
You got silver on your neck, you're not a train wreck
At least you're better than the multiverse
Looking up, it ain't what it seems
They care more about your think
All that glitters ain't gold, they sold their souls
They only go down, it's foretold
Cause your second best
Now you're gonna be blessed
Cause next time you're gonna improve
Chorus
Wuh uh oh uh uh oh oh uh oh uh uh oh
Wuh uh oh uh uh oh oh uh oh uh uh oh
Chorus
Wuh uh oh uh uh oh oh uh oh uh uh oh
Wuh uh oh uh uh oh oh uh oh uh uh oh
Don't take it personally, of your loss
You're the best in the world
One performance is nothing, what you deserve
Is something so much more, you need to
Improve, and prove everyone wrong, to go infinity and beyond
Silver's still a great metal
But I know the one you want,
Everyone wants the gold
But at least you got silver
All the silver athletes (All the silver athletes)
All the silver athletes (All the silver athletes)
All the silver athletes (All the silver athletes)
All the silver athletes
Now accept the silver
Wuh uh oh uh uh oh oh uh oh uh uh oh
Wuh uh oh uh uh oh oh uh oh uh uh oh
Chorus x2
Wuh uh oh
by The Serbian Empire » Fri Nov 27, 2015 7:11 pm
by Swibia » Sat Nov 28, 2015 6:35 am
by Kaboomlandia » Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:42 am
by Gregoryisgodistan » Sat Nov 28, 2015 8:44 am
by Barunia » Sat Nov 28, 2015 8:59 am
by Fluvique » Sat Nov 28, 2015 9:18 am
by Todd McCloud » Sat Nov 28, 2015 9:24 am
by The Archregimancy » Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:16 am
by Kannap » Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:18 am
Luna Amore wrote:Please remember to attend the ritualistic burning of Kannap for heresy
by Izmedu » Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:02 am
by Welcomzia » Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:04 am
Men's Water Polo:
Welcomzia vs Izmedu
Welcomzia went into the game as strong favourites, but Izmedu put on an excellent show, playing way above their level. Their manager Karlovic led the team very well, and his good tactics certainly helped them in the match. Welcomzia raced into a 2-0 lead after the first period, but Jerkovic put on a masterclass performance with two goals plus one from Zoric to make the score 3-2 to Izmedu. Welcomzia's Sheldon Perry dictated proceedings from there as Welcomzia drew level, and eventually went ahead near the end of the game, before ruthless Izmedu attacking made it 6-5 going into the final period. An Alonso Henderson double and a Julian Klein wondergoal then put Welcomzia 8-6 up with minutes on the clock and Welcomzia sure of victory. However there would be one last twist in this tale as Antun Pavlovic scored a late brace for Izmedu and they held the favourites to a surprise draw.
Final Score: Welcomzia 8-8 IzmeduStandings: Group F Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Vekaiyu 1 1 0 0 11 5 +6 2
2 Barunia 1 1 0 0 9 6 +3 2
3 Izmedu 1 0 1 0 8 8 0 1
4 Welcomzia 1 0 1 0 8 8 0 1
5 Eastfield Lodge 1 0 0 1 6 9 −3 0
6 Eura 1 0 0 1 5 11 −6 0
Women's Basketball:
Welcomzia vs Eirelia
Welcomzia went into the tie as underdogs but they played fantastically in this match. The score was 9-22 to Eirelia after the first quarter but after that Welcomzia, led by Kim Patterson really pulled it together. Cathy Brady and captain Nichole Douglas wrecked havoc for the team in black, making the score 31-40 at half time. Whatever the half-time team talk was, it seemed to work as Welcomzia upped their game defensively, despite more possession from Eirelia. Eirelia were however still in the lead with just one minute to go, the score 67-71. Step forward Alicia Wilkins, the 18 year-old starlet came of the bench and scored two three pointers to give Welcomzia the victory, the second of which came seconds before the buzzer. Welcomzia's players jumped around in joy, after their great comeback. There is now light at the end of the tunnel for the ladies basketball team in terms of making it to the knockout stages. If they beat the teams seeded 5th and 6th, they'll have a chance to finish as one of the best third placed teams at the very least.
Final Score: Welcomzia 73–71 EireliaStandings: Group A Pld W L PF PA PD Pts
1 Lymantatia 1 1 0 77 53 +24 2
2 Izmedu 1 1 0 75 58 +17 2
3 Welcomzia 1 1 0 73 71 +2 2
4 Eirelia 1 0 1 71 73 −2 1
5 Eura 1 0 1 58 75 −17 1
6 The United Kingdoms of Zackalantis 1 0 1 53 77 −24 1
Men's Indoor Volleyball:
Cosumar vs Welcomzia
Indoor Volleyball isn't very popular among men in Welcomzia, and that was evident today against a much better Cosumar side. Welcomzia are only the fifth seeds in the group so don't have much chance of qualifying for the knockouts, and this certainly didn't help their cause. Cosumar showed their dominance in the first set, winning 25-15 despite a strong start from their opponents. In the 2nd set Welcomzia did what they pretty much set out to do at the start of the match, win at least one set. They prevailed 26-24 in what was hardly a dominant performance, but enough to win. In the third set 26 year-old Kolo Muckelroy wrecked havoc for the team in blue, as they won 25-15 again. The final set summed up the match, Welcomzia putting in a spirited performance but ultimately Cosumar had too much skill and stamina, in what was a 25-18 win. In the end Welcomzia tried their hardest, but sometimes that's not enough. They can however be proud that they won a set against superior opponents.
Final Score:
Cosumar 25 24 25 25
Welcomzia 15 26 15 18Standings: Group E Pld W L PF PA PD Pts
1 Ethane 1 1 0 3 0 +3 3
2 Vekaiyu 1 1 0 3 0 +3 3
3 Cosumar 1 1 0 3 1 +2 3
4 Welcomzia 1 0 1 1 3 −2 0
5 The Sword Bloke 1 0 1 0 3 −3 0
6 The United Kingdoms of Zackalantis 1 0 1 0 3 −3 0
by Britonisea » Sat Nov 28, 2015 12:38 pm
Group E
Semarland (SEM) 12–7 Cosumar (COS)
Aristian Republic (ARS) 7–9 Kaboomlandia (KBM)
The Serbian Empire (SRB) 4–13 Britonisea (BRI)
Group E Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Britonisea 1 1 0 0 13 4 +9 2
2 Semarland 1 1 0 0 12 7 +5 2
3 Kaboomlandia 1 1 0 0 9 7 +2 2
4 Aristian Republic 1 0 0 1 7 9 −2 0
5 Cosumar 1 0 0 1 7 12 −5 0
6 The Serbian Empire 1 0 0 1 4 13 −9 0
Group F
Swibia (SWI) 81–60 Wray (WRY)
The Greater Vakolicci Haven (VKL) 76–65 Vekaiyu (VEK)
Britonisea (BRI) 76–60 Gregoryisgodistan (GGS)
Group F Pld W L PF PA PD Pts
1 Swibia 1 1 0 81 60 +21 2
2 Britonisea 1 1 0 76 60 +16 2
3 The Greater Vakolicci Haven 1 1 0 76 65 +11 2
4 Vekaiyu 1 0 1 65 76 −11 1
5 Gregoryisgodistan 1 0 1 60 76 −16 1
6 Wray 1 0 1 60 81 −21 1
Group C
Britonisea (BRI) 17 25 25 25
Lymantatia (LYM) 25 17 23 17
Schottia (SCH) 19 25 13 25 15
Electrum (ETM) 25 17 25 11 10
Mattijana (MTJ) 26 25 21 15 8
Kannapian National Delegation (KAN) 24 23 25 25 15
Group C Pld W L PF PA PD Pts
1 Britonisea 1 1 0 3 1 +2 3
2 Kannapian National Delegation 1 1 0 3 2 +1 2
Schottia 1 1 0 3 2 +1 2
4 Electrum 1 0 1 2 3 −1 1
Mattijana 1 0 1 2 3 −1 1
6 Lymantatia 1 0 1 1 3 −2 0
by Schottia » Sat Nov 28, 2015 1:07 pm
by Wray » Sat Nov 28, 2015 3:43 pm
by Ficiscia » Sat Nov 28, 2015 5:22 pm
THE SWORD BLOKE 4-5 FICISCIA
Ficiscian scorers: 6' Unicio 1-1 / 13' Mercator (Penalty) 3-2 / 19' Lentullus 4-3 / 22' Pacus 4-4 / 24' (23:47) Jaruskis 4-5
Man of the Match: FIC #1 Antonius Cavius (GK)
Taeshan (TAE) 11–5 The United Kingdoms of Zackalantis (UKZ)
Benjamin Mark (BNM) 9–4 Krytenia (KRY)
The Sword Bloke (TSB) 5–6 Ficiscia (FIC)
Group A Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Taeshan 1 1 0 0 11 5 +6 2
2 Benjamin Mark 1 1 0 0 9 4 +5 2
3 Ficiscia 1 1 0 0 6 5 +1 2
4 The Sword Bloke 1 0 0 1 5 6 −1 0
5 Krytenia 1 0 0 1 4 9 −5 0
6 The United Kingdoms of Zackalantis 1 0 0 1 5 11 −6 0
by Ferret Civilization » Sat Nov 28, 2015 5:26 pm
by Electrum » Sat Nov 28, 2015 6:07 pm
by Ethane » Sat Nov 28, 2015 6:08 pm
by Mattijana » Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:59 am
by Greater vakolicci haven » Sun Nov 29, 2015 3:39 am
by Zillmerilic » Sun Nov 29, 2015 7:30 am
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