MONTREAL- 13-year-old Monica Lubczynski is one of the best fencers in Quebec even though she only first picked up a sword two years ago.
Her love of fencing is quite literally a mystery: she decided to try the sport after reading the Nancy Drew novel 'En Garde.'
"It sounded like a lot of action and it was really interesting," said Monica. "It was a lot of techniques so you had to really focus on it, so I thought that it would be fun to try out."
Since then the teenager has won medals in half of her first eight competitions, including silver at the 2011 provincial championships.
"I find it's my kind of sport because I have a long reach so it's easier to get points," said Monica, who stands 5'7".
Her coach says she has a combination of natural talent and strong work ethic.
"She listens a lot and she is a very good athlete," said Sylvie Morel, who competes from a wheelchair, and was Pan Am Champion in 1999.
"She makes the effort, because sometimes they tend to be a bit lazy, but not her. She takes it seriously and we appreciate that as coach so that's going to make her a very, very good fencer."
Dueling with a sword requires speed, balance and patience which can take years to develop. However Monica is determined to have a better showing at the 2012 championships with a straightforward strategy.
"Try to beat opponents that I couldn't beat least year."
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