OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Sheppard happy despite second-round exit

Published

4 weeks ago

13 de February de 2025

By Barrie White, , London 2012

GREAT Britain fencer Natalia Sheppard admitted that she was happy with her overall performance – despite a second-round exit at London 2012.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN: Natalia Sheppard and Sophie Troiano clash in first-round bout at Excel

Polish-born Sheppard lost 15-5 to fifth seed Corinne Maitrejean, from France, in the foil after she put out fellow Brit and training partner Sophie Troiano in her first bout at Excel.

But Bath-based Sheppard was just delighted to have competed in Great Britain’s colours at an Olympic Games and wished Maitrejean well.

“I actually think it was good,” she said.

“There was some very strong fencing. The tactics that we discussed before the match didn’t quite work but she is amazing, so good luck to her.

“Fencing for Britain – wow, a once in a lifetime experience. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but in years to come it will feel amazing.”

Troiano, who lost 12-9 to Sheppard in the round of 64 was disappointed to have been drawn against a teammate, but will be now focusing on the team event.

“If I had been switched on at the start I might have done better,” said London-born Troiano, who confessed to being nervous.

“It’s never nice to draw a teammate but we always knew there was a chance we would meet each other.

“It would be unnatural not to be nervous, it’s the greatest show on earth.

“My efforts are now going to be focused on the team event. We have a strong team and a good chance of doing well.”

Anna Bentley, from Aberdeen, also had an early exit after she lost 10-9 in overtime to Canada’s Monica Peterson, but felt she could have won.

The 31-year-old, who lives in London, was happy with the support of the crowd, but blamed nerves and a lack of a ruthless streak for her defeat.

She said: “The crowd really helped me at the start. I got nervous in the second period and let her back into the bout. It was fun, but it is no fun to lose”

“She’s awkward to hit and leans over, so there is not much of a target to hit. But good luck to her, she’s a fighter.”

OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Brave face can’t hide Bentley’s disappointment

Published

4 weeks ago

13 de February de 2025

James Cartwright

By Daniel Schofield, , London 2012

BRITISH fencer Anna Bentley put on brave face after her heart breaking defeat in the first round of the women’s individual foil at London 2012.

HEART BREAK: Anna Bentley cannot match Monica Peterson as the Brit loses in Olympic debut

Facing Canada’s Monica Peterson, placed 122 rungs above her in the world rankings, Bentley made a brisk start to her debut Olympics going 3-1 ahead only for that lead to quickly evaporate.

Her 28-year-old opponent was happy to try to defensively guard her 8-6 advantage for much of the second and third rounds, but 31-year-old Bentley drew level with 18 seconds remaining and, with just six seconds left on the clock, took the lead once more.

Peterson though scored a hit with one second left and in sudden death extra time the Canadian scored a somewhat dubious winning hit to triumph 10-9 and eliminate a philosophical Bentley at the last 64 stage.

The Scot, who was selected for Team GB in June, said: “In the last hit I felt it was mine and once she attacked me I took over but you have to go by the referee’s decision.

“I got really nervous in the second period and I managed to find a way through in the final period again.

“She was really effective at what she does but she’s really awkward to hit. There was not much of a target to hit – it was fun but it was not fun when you are losing.

“To be honest, because I was selected on the team, I got a place here when my ranking did not really merit it.

“So I have been using this experience to help get ready for the team event with the crazy stuff that goes on. It has been mental.”

Bentley will be back in action on August 2 in the women’s foil team event together with Sophie Troiano and Natalia Sheppard – who faced each other in their own last 64 encounter.

And Bentley, who finished 13th at the 2011 European Championships in Sheffield, is hoping their feisty encounter, which Sheppard won 12-9, will have no bearing on their chances in the team event, when they face Egypt on Thursday morning.

“It has been a bit awkward with Natalia and Sophie fencing each other,” she said.

“The atmosphere has been a bit different.

“Everyone is cool but everyone has kept themselves to themselves to stay focussed. I am really hoping we can all come together and focus on the team event rather than the individual events.”