Sander Vervaeke

Board member

What is your profession?: Technical consultant in AI & software development
Do you have other hobbies besides fencing?: Cooking, DIY (Maker)
How long have you been fencing?: Since 2018
What do you like most about this sport?: Fencing is an age-old sport where agility, technique and strategy come together beautifully.
Do you have a signature move?: Feint
What was your most exciting or challenging fencing moment or match so far?: Too many to list. You will face many tough opponents and play many exciting matches — some won, some lost — but you will always come out better and stronger than before.
What is a common misconception people have about fencing?: That it is only about speed, not thinking. On the contrary, fencing is very much about strategy, not just speed.
Which skills do you consider most important for a good fencer?: Perseverance, every fencer can develop a style that plays to their strengths.
What tip(s) would you give to beginners?: Following on from the previous question: never give up! Even if it sometimes feels like you are making no progress, by continuing to train and push through you will eventually get there. That applies not just to fencing, but to life in general.