Siobhán aims to be a cut above the rest

Q You compete tomorrow in the individual sabre competition. How does it differ from the others?

A “THERE are three categories in fencing: sabre, epee and foil. Sabre is the only weapon where you use the edge of the sword to hit your opponent. We don’t have a tip on our sabres as you do in the other disciplines. It is the fastest weapon of them all and it is a very aggressive style.

It also goes very quickly — some bouts could be over in two minutes whereas foil or epee usually last up to nine minutes. The target area is different too. It is all torso upwards including arms and head which is completely different from the others. I started in foil when I was seven-years-old and then I fenced it for six years before changing to sabre.”

Q What equipment do fencers wear?

A “I WILL be wearing breeches which are my trousers so to speak along with socks and special fencing shows. Under my jacket which is grey I have another jacket which is made of the same material as my breeches and then I have a plaster on which covers my fencing arm. It gives extra protection for your arm that is facing forward. Then you have a breast protector, a glove, an over glove and your mask. There are visors now built into the mask to make it easier to see out from. A lot of people thought it was very difficult to look out from the masks in the past but your eyes get used to it from a young age.”

Q What is the connection on your back?

A “It has to do with electricity. The grey jacket that we will be wearing is made from an auto conducting material. So when my blade hits the other person’s conducting jacket it closes the electric circuit and the light shows up. That is why fencers are connected though that is changing now with new technology and a competitions including the Olympics use wireless systems.”

Q What sort of training is required to get to this level?

A “Your legs are really important but you have to have a good core too in order to keep your balance. But your legs are crucial with all the footwork. We do specific footwork training to build them up.”

Q How does the scoring work?

A “The first to 15 wins. As I mentioned the target area is all torso upwards including arms and head. But it is about trying to establish priority. But it is hard to tell who has established priority if you are new to fencing especially as it changes so fast especially in sabre. The touch of a blade or a person putting their foot down too heavily can change the priority in competition. That is why we have a referee who in the end decides who had the last valid touch or who has established priority last. Though both lights will be on only one person will get the touch. One touch is one score.

Q Tell me about your sword?

A “You can buy the parts separately or you can just buy an entire sabre. Every athlete obviously has a preference with the type of grip they want to us, they type of guard of even the type of blade. Every athlete also bends the blade to suit there style. Mine has a rubber grip, my guard is a regular guard while my coach, (former gold medallist Vladimir Nazlymov) gets my blades from Russia.”

Q How are you feeling?

A “I was pretty relaxed for a long time before I go to the village but since arriving I have been here I have tensed up a little. But I’m working through it. I’m excited and nervous. But I am ready to get it done now, I’ve practiced for so long I just want to go out and do it.”

Q Will this spark a fencing revival back in Ireland?

A “I hope so. It is great that people are showing an interest. I understand why it is not a popular sport because it is not like you can just pick up a ball and do it yourself. And it is quite a hard sport to understand. I wish the media would get more involved, especially television and they could promote it better.

They are trying to do stuff with the wireless fencing where they have lights in our masks which go off to signify a hit. You will actually see that in this competition, we have wireless sensors on our backs and it all looks pretty spectacular. The visor masks are also a new edition so that the tv cameras can focus in on the eyes of the fencers. I hope these changes will result in more people watching fencing.”

* Siobhan Byrne faces Poland’s Irena Wieckowska at 3am Irish time tomorrow.

Q First Olympic memory?

A “I remember watching them as a kid and being amazed by them. Sydney was the first time that I actually knew some people that were competing in them and Athens was the first Olympics I tried out for.”

Q First time you gave an autograph?

A “The first time I gave an autograph was at a World Cup in France where they had school kids come in and fill the stands. I think that was in 2005.”

Q I’m afraid of?

A “Missing out on opportunities. That is one of the reasons I am always doing a million things at once.”

Q The one thing nobody knows about me?

A If I would tell you then everybody would know.

Q If I’d to Sky plus one show?

A I don’t have cable so I really don’t watch too much TV. I do like Grey’s Anatomy though.

Q Complete this sentence: Qualifying for Beijing is.....?

A A lifelong dream finally come true and it is absolutely exciting!

Q Sunshine holiday or Inca Tail?

A I like the combination of both, one day lazy at the beach and one day of excitement and sightseeing.

Q Favourite website?

A Facebook

Q I drive?

A 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier.

Q The tattoo you’d must like?

A Of course the Olympic Rings. I am still debating whether or nor I should get them as a tattoo.

Q What’s your ringtone?

A Right now it is Amy Winehouse with Rehab

Q Who’s your most difficult opponent?

A I am my most difficult opponent.

Q When the Olympics are all over I’ll......?

A Take a break from fencing for a few weeks and spend some time with friends and family.

Q What sportsperson would you like to share an ice bath with?

A Dwayne Wade. His girlfriend’s name is the same as mine just spelt Siohvaughn. He must like that name.

Q If you were a character from history you’d be?

A Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Q If you were stranded on a desert island who’d be Man Friday to your Robinson Crusoe?

A I would like to have my boyfriend there but I don’t know if I would employ him as my servant.

Q Who’d play you in a film?

A Maybe Nicole Kidman… but I really don’t know.

Q With a ticking bomb, do you cut the blue, red or yellow wire to defuse?

A I would go for the red…

Q If you had one super power it would be . . . and why?

A To be able to port or beam myself to wherever I need to go. No more travelling and waiting in airports and airplanes.