Skip To Main Content
Nina fencing champion in the French national team

Being a student-athlete requires a great spirit of dedication and resilience and Nina, a passionate fencer studying in IB DP 2 at Ermitage surely has these qualities. With twelve years of experience under their belt, she balances a rigorous training regimen with a demanding academic schedule, all while striving for excellence on both fronts. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the lessons learned through years of commitment, the challenges faced as a student-athlete, and the mental strategies employed to tackle high-stakes competitions. Join us as we explore Nina’s journey, from her most memorable moments on the strip to her aspirations for the future in fencing and beyond.

 

How long have you been practising this sport?

It’s been 12 years now. I started at the age of 5. 

Describe your typical training schedule. How do you manage to juggle your highly demanding academic curriculum with your also highly demanding training program and competition schedule?

In a typical training week, I have three to four fencing sessions and two or three physical trainings - with a physiotherapy session once a week. It requires a lot of organisation to be able to juggle between sports and school. I usually take advantage of the free time during the weekends or holidays to finish all my homework and prepare for the upcoming exams.

What are some challenges you’ve faced as a student athlete, and how have you overcome them?

At first, I struggled with time and organisation, IB DP 1 was a difficult year as I had to settle down with new subjects which I had never studied before and adapt quickly from MYP to DP. What helped me was completing my work in advance to meet important deadlines, such as summatives, IAs, or EE. I tried to use all my free time and especially holidays to review the classes I missed and prepare for the upcoming tasks. 

Nina fencing champion in the French national team

What skills have you acquired as a top-level athlete that you can apply to your academic career and life in general?

It has taught me discipline, rigour, focus and organisation which I am trying to reflect on my studies. I’ve also learned that sometimes what we want doesn’t happen instantly. You need a lot of patience and belief. Things will come when they need to come, and practice is the key to success. 

Who has been your biggest influence or mentor in your fencing journey?

I don’t have a specific mentor, however high level athletes who succeeded starting from nothing like the sister Williams in tennis prompted my need to persevere and hold on to my dreams. 

How do you prepare mentally for a match or tournament, and how do you handle the pressure of major competitions?

Before a match, I usually isolate myself while listening to music, and I stay in movement, so my stress doesn’t take over. Solitude is essential as it allows me to enter a bubble of concentration. 

During my pauses - in a match - I breathe, and try to listen and focus only on what my trainer is saying, to avoid my emotions taking over. I always think of all the effort that I put in my daily life to be there, that gives me energy and motivation to do my best. Between matches, I also isolate myself to avoid distractions and to prepare better mentally.  

Nina fencing champion in the French national team winning her first national title

Can you share one of your most memorable competitions or matches? What made it stand out?

My first national title in 2022 was the one I will always remember, it was the first time I won a title at a national level. It had been a difficult year for me in fencing, I felt like I was in stagnating, I was very young, but I would put a lot of pressure on myself. I didn’t perform how I wanted, so this title showed me that all I need was patience and effort to achieve my objectives.

How do you envision your future in the sport after your International Baccalaureate Diploma?

I want to pursue high-level fencing and try to permanently enter the French national team. My goal is to continue fencing while studying in university. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of fencing?

I enjoy spending time with friends and family, I also like going for walks, watching movies, discovering new places and reading.

What advice would you give to younger athletes who are interested in taking up fencing?

Fencing isn’t a sport where you can achieve high goals instantly; it is a sport that is designed for a long term career, you need a lot of patience and rigour. Like all sports, fencing has more defeats than victories, but you have to learn to get back up and continue fighting. If you focus on the past failures, you will not move forward.

Nina fencing champion in the French national team

Bravo Nina for your incredible dedication academically and in fencing! We are confident that you will continue to strive for greatness on the way to fulfilling your dreams.

 

Looking for something?

At Ermitage, we offer you a choice between the French program with bilingual options and the International Baccalaureate program in English with a bilingual diploma option as well. Discover their similarities and differences below.

Ermitage News

Lunar New Year in Primary School: Celebrating Diversity, Embracing the World, Growing Together
IB Staff First Aid Training Day
Ermitage Alumni End-of-Year Reception
The ERMUN Conference 2024