Journey to Paris 2024
Please take a moment to watch the video at the top of this page (put together by Richard Skura, Capsure Photography - Thank you!!).
The last season was the hardest season I’ve had since I started fencing. I dealt with catching covid, numerous travel issues, stomach problems at World Championships, and other things… all which impacted my performances. On top of all that, I dealt with the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with… I lost my dad in the beginning of August, less than two weeks after returning from Worlds.
My dad was one of my biggest supporters. I was always “Daddy’s little girl.” I’ve decided that I will dedicate this season to him. I will give every bout, every touch, everything I have not just for me but for him too. I am not focused on the results because I can’t control those… Rather, I will be focused on making sure that I do my absolute best every single point and give 100% to everything I do. That is what he would be proud of.
As hard as the last few months have been for me, there have been a couple silver linings. One is that I have really grown closer to some of my family and friends… the other thing is that I learned that I’m stronger than I thought. Life has thrown so much at me in the past year, but I never gave up and I have always persevered.
This upcoming season is an important one. Starting from April onwards, every competition will count towards the Olympic qualification. Every competition before April is important so that I can increase my ranking and also qualify for the Pan American Championships and World Championships again this year.
This is my tentative schedule:
October 22, 2022 - National Competition in Vancouver, BC
November 11-13, 2022 - World Cup in Algers, Algeria
December 8-10, 2022 - Grand Prix in Orleans, France
January 8, 2023 - North American Cup in Louisville, Kentucky
January 13-15, 2023 - Grand Prix in TBD
February 10-12, 2023 - World Cup in Salt Lake City, Utah
March 3-5, 2023 - World Cup in Athens, Greece
March 6-16, 2023 - Training Camp in Europe
March 17-19, 2023 - World Cup in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
April 27-29, 2023 - Grand Prix in Seoul, Korea
May 12-14, 2023 - World Cup in Hammamet, Tunisia
Pending qualification - June 2023 - Pan American Championships in TBD
Pending qualification - July 10-27, 2023 - World Championships in Milan, Italy
Again, thank you to everyone who has been with me through everything. It means more than you know… I would be honoured to have you stay by my side on this journey.
You can support me this season by sending me words of encouragement, contributing to this campaign, and/or sharing this campaign with your friends and family.
Photo Credit: Capsure Photography (Richard Skura)
Every bit of support helps me in this journey and I appreciate you all for all you’ve done so far. Thank you!
Hi! My name is Marissa Ponich and I am one of the top women's sabre fencers in Canada. I have been a national team member since 2013 (the same year I started fencing internationally). I started fencing at the late age of 19. I train at Sergei’s Sabre Club with Sergei Kazimirski and he’s been my coach since I started fencing in 2006. I have grown quickly and I am continuing to grow in this sport because it is a serious passion of mine.
