“Christophe Conrad: Passionate Fencing Enthusiast and Organizer of European Fencing Championships in Thionville”

At the very top, at a good 1.90 m, Christophe Conrad, 56 years old, the pater familias, professional doctor and great “cutter” of cruppers by passion… In the center, Fabienne, “the mamma mia”, mother of all the fights, head steward, travel agency, finance minister and incidentally comforter of gray souls, on evenings of defeats. One for all.

In the West, Nicolas, 25 years old, 1.87 m, the Parisian, the son of D’Artagnan, a first striker – Father, keep to the right! In the East, Alice, 22 spring, 1.80 m, the Strasbourgeoise, her father’s daughter, the one you didn’t expect rapier in hand – Father, keep to the left!

shared passion

Christophe Conrad touched his first foil at the age of 7, at the school of La Providence, thanks to Jean-Marie Buchert, the SET fencing master who was passing by. Quickly, passion seized the arm of the teenager who dropped tennis, judo or golf, the other sports he had tried. The young man has physical means, large segments and an extension that makes the difference. He refined his style under the patronage of Maître Prétot and gave himself an identity: defense and counter-offensive. “Over the years, it has become a concrete mixer”, says today the Master Pizay who shaped it. The Thionvillois will be part of the French Juniors team then, in the 90s, will even reach the top 12 tricolor in seniors – his grail – before putting away his ambitions to continue his medical studies.

In 2023, the passion is intact. Fabienne has visited the metropolis in all directions, but Christophe has moved on to transmission. With his children of course, but also by creating his club: Escrime Trois Frontières, in 2013, and by strengthening it with the best skills. Thus, in mid-May, the Thionvillois will organize a major event by receiving 1,500 fencers forming the first European guard of the masters. And Lorraine amateurs of fine blades will say: “Thank you Doctor”.

Assured transmission

As for Nicolas and Alice, they are at the relay. Over hill and dale. It’s their turn. He, born in the clanking of arms, went through the Reims pole, knew the French Juniors team like his father, galloped the national title in the category, nailing Romain Cannone, his club partner at Saint-Maur, who has since become Olympic champion and world champion. Nico in too much of a hurry, perhaps forgetting that the sword is a weapon and a game of long patience.

She had been offered tennis, dancing or gymnastics. She did not yield an inch of ground. She wanted to test herself in assault, dodging, parrying and thrusting. It is she who today carries the family dream. It is in the eyes of her father with whom she constantly exchanges that Alice recognizes herself. Twelfth in the French ranking, the Thionvilloise has now given herself the right to dream big of the Games. With the Conrads, passion is lived in fours, as with the Musketeers, with a heroine as hero, a young lady born with her hair more Lady than Milady. To be continued.