Imre Dobos, fencing grasp: “The unstoppable thrust does not exist” | Culture | EUROtoday

When the photographer apologizes in case he’s not making him undertake some incorrect place, Imre Dobos smiles wolfishly and the smile is mirrored within the guard of his saber: as with Chuck Norris (Rip), with him there is no such thing as a risk of a fight gesture that isn’t completely exact, good. Imi Dobos (Budapest, 67 years previous) is a fencing grasp, founding father of the Hungarian Fencing School of Barcelona, ​​which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, and a steely professional who has devoted his whole life to the seek for excellence along with his weapon and who has taught greater than 10,000 folks the secrets and techniques of his self-discipline. Tall and engaging, he’s a sort and calm man though deep in his cat eyes you understand a Magyar strangeness and application; Let’s not let our guard down.

Ask. How does a Hungarian fencer get to Barcelona?

Answer. At the age of 27, I escaped from my nation whereas doing army service, abandoned and went to Germany, the place I used to be granted asylum. In 1986 I got here to Barcelona when the Olympics had been awarded to the town: it appeared like a very good time for fencing. They employed me as a coach. I keep in mind talking at an inauguration with Jordi Pujol in German. “Very good, very good,” he instructed me, “now you have to learn Catalan.”

P. Did you may have a fencing background? You, not Pujol.

R. No, I needed to be a footballer, however in communist Hungary you probably did what they instructed you, they established which sport you’d do finest in. My mom needed it to be somebody in white, tennis, gymnastics or fencing. It was fencing. I used to be fortunate sufficient to coach with Master Borsodi, the final of those that revolutionized Hungarian saber fencing. He was 85 years previous.

P. Sable.

R. Always saber, after a yr of foil originally of every little thing. It is essentially the most profitable weapon in Hungary. Hungarian fencing comes basically from cavalry that used the saber above all. It is essentially the most dynamic weapon, it’s so totally different from the foil and the epee, due to the pace, the philosophy, the risk-taking. The saber is… like when there’s nearly nobody left alive in a fort and the final twenty open the doorways for a determined, suicidal exit in opposition to ten thousand Turks. Kirohanas We say in Hungarian, operating with no head, there are lots of tales like that in Hungary.

P. Do you want hussars? His Nobel Prize winner, László Krasznahorkai, hates them.

R. I assume that is why he isn’t very talked-about in Hungary. I’m not a hussar both and all that nationalist stuff, they turned an emblem of the Hungaricumtopical hungarity. There are extremely individuals who placed on the hussar jacket, the dolman or attila to mark, idiots.

P. What does fencing imply to you?

R. I haven’t got a romantic thought, however when it hooks you, it hooks you. It’s not due to the weapons. It’s as a result of no different sport provides you a lot alternative to combine psychological and bodily play. There is a really nice stage of technique. It is in comparison with chess, and it’s true. Curiously, I’ve realized extra fencing by instructing it than by practising it. I really feel loads of duty; Of my seven academics, whom I couldn’t be conversant in, 4 had been Olympic champions. I all the time assume what they might consider how I educate. I really feel a part of that chain. With that perspective you will need to not do it improper.

P. What does fencing present?

R. It provides loads of agility, coordination, elasticity, focus and enhances fast resolution making. The second you do it rather well, freedom comes: you might be quick and efficient, however with out stress.

P. Does it assist defend oneself on the road?

R. For that you would need to carry the saber. But really, sure. I’ve gained some fights within the metro Thanks to fencing, because of the sense of distance, anticipation, tempo, you dominate one-on-one.

P. Do you assume fencing is frowned upon immediately?

R. No, no, under no circumstances. Some take into account it elitist, and it’s true that competing is dear. On the opposite hand, should you do not compete, it might turn into monotonous. It has been related to the army and violence, however it’s undoubtedly the least aggressive of the fight sports activities. In actuality, there is no such thing as a direct shock and the fabric may be very secure.

P. Have you seen any accidents?

R. No, by no means, I do know there have been, though I believe they need to do with extreme competitiveness and little duty on the a part of academics. Actions that could be harmful shouldn’t be taught or inspired. Don’t search for shortcuts, do not skip conference.

P. Is there an unstoppable thrust?

R. No, fencing is a circle, you begin with the best motion and it will get extra sophisticated till you come back to the best once more. The 200 defend thrust doesn’t exist, sorry. There is all the time a response that neutralizes it.

P. Your favourite motion?

R. The headdress in time within the hand.

P. What is one of the best in cinema?

R. I like The princess bridehowever one of the best is The Prisoner of Zenda; Tim Roth Rob Roy, The duelistsdirtier fencing, extra actual fight; The problem. The Fox It impresses individuals who do not know. Theatrical fencing is totally different. When you see him do a pirouette, overlook it: should you did it in an actual duel, you’d be lifeless. You can do showy issues in a duel sequence in movie or theater, however there are limits…

P. Is there a distinction between women and men in fencing?

R. As in tennis, in technical equality, the person wins due to his physique.

P. Give us two ideas to enhance fencing.

R. Consistency and the continual need to study. I continue learning.

P. Rosalía has marketed them.

R. Yes, like Madonna again within the day. But, you realize, Rosalía carries a left-handed sword within the video, in her proper hand!