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Q&A: Fencer Erinn Smart on tennis and The Cosby Show
By Jessica Santonastaso // usolympicteam.com // November 25, 2002
Ranked third in the U.S. Senior Standings as of July 2002 in fencing, Erinn Smart is also the 2002 U.S. National Champion, as well as a 2002 National Championships bronze medallist. In 2001 she was the U.S. Senior Worlds bronze medallist (women's foil squad), in addition to being a World Senior Team Member for the third year in a row ('98, '99, '01). Smart was the 2000 National Championships silver medallist and was also an alternate for the 2000 Olympic team.
Smart became involved in fencing at the age of twelve after her parents read about the Peter Westbrook Foundation, an organization founded by a six-time U.S. Olympian to bring minority and underprivileged children to the sport of fencing. Now dedicated to the sport, Smart balances a full time job while also training for the 2004 Olympics.
Q1: What did you think about the sport the first time you tried it?
ERINN SMART: Well I was twelve years old the first time I tried fencing. I thought it was pretty interesting just because it wasn't too popular in the city area. It was something different that I really liked it and got involved in it pretty quickly.
Q2: Can you compare fencing to any other sport?
ERINN SMART: I think it is most comparable to tennis. You have to change your game a lot in both sports according to your opponent. You land shots in both and you change your target areas too. I'm a tennis player too, so they two really complement each other.
Q3: What has kept you involved in the sport for so long?
ERINN SMART: For me I enjoy the variety. In every match you compete against someone different or learn something new. The whole thing is a learning process that I really think I benefit from. And it's just fun.
Q4: How often and how do you train?
ERINN SMART: I train five to six days a week for three hours a day. In addition to free fencing I also do cardio by running or rollerblading.
Q5: Do you have any superstitions?
ERINN SMART: I think I tend to wear the same shirt a lot. Yeah, I do.
Q6: What is your most memorable moment of your sports career?
ERINN SMART: It has to be when my team won the bronze at the World Championships. We were so excited. We had worked so hard on team matches and winning really made us feel that the hard work paid off.
Q7: Have you ever gotten injured while fencing?
ERINN SMART: Ironically, I usually get all my injuries from doing stuff outside of fencing, like rollerblading.
Q8: What was your favorite TV show as a kid?
ERINN SMART: Oh definitely The Cosby Show. It was based out of Brooklyn and that's where I'm from. I thought it was pretty funny show and my family and I used to sit and watch it together.
Q9: How are you preparing for Athens?
ERINN SMART: I am continuing to train really hard and get in as many competitions as I can. I'm working harder at practices and focusing on what I know I want to achieve.
Q10: Do you have a motivational quote you live by?
ERINN SMART: My coach always says, "Work hard in practice, easy in battle." If you give it all you've got in practice, the hard work will pay off in the end.
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