US fencer Seth Kelsey was one of the casualties of the upset prone men’s epee competition on Sunday August 10th. In a sport known for the ability of any athlete to win on a give day, Kelsey drew a familiar opponent who has given him trouble in the past.
Fabrice Jeannet won his opening round match against Kirghiz fencer Sergey Katchurin in which both fencers spent time during and after the bout taunting each other. The bout seemed to have fired up Jeannet as he launched into Kelsey to open up a quick 3-0 lead.
Kelsey fought back to end the first period 5-5, his fifth touch a great close-out with just 2 seconds left in the period. Between periods his strip coach, Ed Korfanty, told Kelsey that he needed to be more aggressive. (Korfanty is the US National Team coach for women’s saber.)
Jeannet took the opening point of the second period, followed by a double touch as the French fencer used the extra length provided by the French grip weapon to land on Kelsey’s leg. Kelsey adjusted and took the next two points and the lead. On their next phrase Kelsey lunged high and Jeannet ducked and tied the bout at 8. Jeannet would get the next point and enter the third period with a 9-8 lead.
Jeannet switched between pushing and pulling Kelsey to either end of the strip, something that the US epeeist was slow to adjust to and Jeannet built up a 3 point lead. With time running out, Kelsey was forced to make all-out attacks and lost the match 15-11
Kelsey is a member of the World Class Athletes Program with the US Air Force. He will spend the next two years in the reserves and then apply for another 2 year stint in the WCAP program to prepare for the London Olympic Games in 2012.
Later in competition Jeannet has advanced into the Semi Final matches, and is the lowest seed remaining.