Hanna Thompson took her time and Erinn Smart charged ahead as both win their opening round matches at the Olympic Fencing Hall this morning in Beijing. Thompson opened the day for the US fencers with a slow and methodical bout against Algerian Anissa Khelfaqui.
Thompson led 2-0 at the end of the first period, with the first touch – a counter attack by Thompson – scoring after 2 minutes of fencing had elapsed.
The methodical style of Hanna Thompson allowed her to end the first period up 2-0 and with a good understanding of her opponent’s weaknesses. Thompson exploited those in a 4-0 second period which led to a 8-0 run in the middle of the bout, which ended 11-2. "I was a little nervous, so 0-0 (in the first period) would be fine for me."
Thompson next matches up against another patient fencer, Caroline Golubitsky (GER). "We fenced in Tokyo and I lost in priority." Thompson is confident in her gameplan, and predicts a slow, cautious bout.
On the other side of the venue, Erinn Smart started her Olympic quest with a 7-0 opening barrage against Martina Emanuel (GBR) and ended the bout 15-7. Emanuel had qualified as a replacement athlete when the Austrian federation did not send their fencer. She looked unprepared for Smart’s long attacks and remises that started the bout.
After being down 9-1, Emmanual shortened the distance and started to gain some ground on Smart with some success. The British fencer would get the score to within 3 touches, but fell off at the end as Smart adjusted and took the bout 15-7. "When I pulled the distance more I was able to hit on my attacks and counter attacks" explained Smart.
The bout provided a good warm up for Smart who faces French fencer Maitre Jean in the round of 32. The two last faced each other almost a decade ago. "It will be thrilling to meet up with her again" said Smart. "With the French it’s a staggered approach and a lot of parries and a lot of preparation moves, so that’s what I’m expecting."