Motivated, dedicated, and pushing harder than ever
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarissaPonich Twitter: https://twitter.com/MPonichFencer (@MPonichFencer) Hello! My name is Marissa Ponich and I'm one of the top ranked women's sabre fencers in Canada. My ultimate goal for the future is to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio and I’m on the right track. In order to do this, I need to continue to attend and gain experience at international events such as World Cups so that I can qualify for and compete in Pan American Championships and World Championships again this season. There is little funding available for this sport. When I travel to both National and International events, I must pay for all expenses including my flights, food, accommodations, and registration fees. These expenses are on top of my training costs for each month and on top of costs for new equipment when I need it. Tentative Schedule for the 2014/15 international season: October 10, 2014: Portland, USA - North American Cup - $1500 November 1-2, 2014: Margarita Island, Venezuela - World Cup - $2000 November 21-23, 2014: Orleans, France - World Cup (with training camp one week prior) - $2500 December 6, 2014: Dallas, USA - North American Cup - $1500 December 13-14, 2014: New York, USA - Grand Prix - $1500 January 30-February 1, 2015: Athens, Greece - World Cup - $2500 February 21-22, 2015: Gent, Belgium - World Cup - $2000 April 15-30, 2015 (tentative dates): Santiago, Chile - Pan American Championships (pending qualification) - $2500 May 2-3, 2015: Tianjin, China - World Cup - $2500 May 30-31, 2015: Moscow, Russia - Grand Prix - $2500 July 10-20, 2015:Toronto, Ontario - Pan American Games (pending qualification and only if not the same days as World Championships) - $1000 July, 2015 (dates not confirmed): Moscow, Russia - World Championships (pending qualification) - $3000 Total cost: $25,000 The tournaments I list above are only the international tournaments. There are still National tournaments I will travel to (2 to 3 Canada Cups/Nationals) and international training camps I need to attend. It will not be surprising if I spend anywhere from $25,000 - $35,000 for fencing related costs this season alone.This will be a financially, physically, and emotionally demanding season, but I know it will be worth it in the end! Last season I had a successful campaign on MAKEACHAMP. It truly touched me to see how many people care about and want to be a part of my journey. THANK YOU! It pushed me to train harder, grow faster, and give it my all. People were there to support me through the ups and downs and it is incredible how much motivation that gives me. I couldn't have made it where I am today without that amazing support! This season, I had to start my campaign earlier because the season is starting earlier. I will start traveling to International events in October/November instead of February. Please share and follow me in my journey as I take this next step toward my Olympic dreams and aspirations! I understand that some people can't contribute, but you can still take part in my journey by getting the word out and sharing my campaign on social media or just talking about it. 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.
