Raymund Swertz from Afferden, big star of the European Championship one cushion

Raymund Swertz from Afferden was the big star of the European Championship one cushion. In Cervera, northern Spain, he received two gold medals and one bronze medal during the Classic European Championships.

After the relatively cautious start with bronze in the one cushion, Swertz was in a class of his own in his much-loved fencing game. First in rapid succession to gold in the 47/2, and at the end of this European Championship in the classic game types, also gold in the even more difficult frame game 71/2.

The final was the same as in the 47/2, against Patrick Niessen from Belgium, and the result was also the same: his opponent had no chance. Swertz became undefeated champion 71/2, but perhaps even more impressive than that were his results from the knockout phase: 200-0 against Xavier Gretillat in the quarter-finals, 200-12 against Benoit Legros in the semi-finals, and 200-39 against Patrick Niessen in the final. His opponents, who are among the best cadrists in Europe, simply didn’t stand a chance.

It made the harvest for TeamNL unprecedented at this European Championship: twice gold and once bronze in three disciplines, a score that would have been signed for immediately in advance. Although it was disappointing that for the other (usually very strong) Dutchmen Michel van Silfhout (47/2 and 71/2), Jean Paul de Bruijn and Jos Bongers (one cushion) and Micha van Bochem (47/2) won the medal outside range remained.