Bettie Graham took third in the epee competition and seventh in the foil at the North American Cup fencing tournament in March.
Not a bad result, considering several months before the competition Graham wasn’t sure she would ever fence again.
In July 2008, she underwent surgery to repair the rotator cuff in her right shoulder. Over the next six months, the 67-year-old did physical therapy, worked with a personal trainer to strengthen her upper body and slowly worked her way back into fencing twice a week at the Chevy Chase Fencing Club.
But the first several months were tough, she says.
“I would still go to the club to keep up the connection, but I had to watch the action sitting on the sidelines. I thought, ‘I won’t be able to do that again.’ ”
So the best part of the March nationals was just being able to fence, says the Silver Spring resident, who took up the sport 12 years ago.
Graham fenced in the over-60 women’s division in the foil and epee competitions, which feature different weapons and took place on separate days. Both competitions consisted of a first round in which Graham fought five-seven matches over four hours to determine rankings, followed by a single-elimination tournament.
Graham’s strong finishes on both days make her one of the country’s top fencers for her age group, but she wasn’t entirely satisfied.
“I wish I would have done better in foil because I like it better,” she said.
Her chance will come soon.
Graham plans to fence in the summer national tournament in July, and she has no desire to stop after that.
“I’ll continue to fence until I can’t do it anymore. Fencing is one of those lifetime sports.”
