Wouter Devroye

Board member

What is your profession?: Employee, head of data policy
Do you have other hobbies besides fencing?: Cooking, gardening, reading, gaming
How long have you been fencing?: Since 2019
What do you like most about this sport?: Just focusing on that one moment on the piste and having to let everything else go. That is what makes fencing the ultimate sport for me.
Do you have a signature move?: I hope not ;-), but I am told I have a long, fast arm...
What was your most exciting or challenging fencing moment or match so far?: There have been a few, but what comes back to me are those bouts where you and your opponent trade doubles all the way to 15 points. Managing to land that last point by staying focused — that is just great.
What is a common misconception people have about fencing?: Some people think it is a strange sport where you just sort of 'dance' around. I invite those people to come 'dance' on the piste for three minutes.
Which skills do you consider most important for a good fencer?: Patience, combined with tactical insight to choose the right moment and the right technique for that one point.
What tip(s) would you give to beginners?: Patience and distance. Start with those. The rest comes naturally with regular training. Don't be afraid to lose — and when you do make progress, analyse where things went wrong and learn from it.