When it comes to sports, Salvadoran athletes don’t always have the most resources or support, but what they lack in sponsorship, they make up for in heart and dedication. Joaquin tells us about his fencing journey on and off the strip, the challenges he faced as a Salvadoran and the doors he had to knock on to keep his dream alive.
Joaquin Tobar is an architect and a fencer. He was born in El Salvador and is based out of New York City. He’s currently expanding his architecture skills in Switzerland. He’s married to fencing Olympian Eileen Grench from Panama.
- Year of the Central American Games
- Pacho Alvarado, famous fencer in EL Salvador
- Narciso Sime from Cuba, legendary coach
- Fencing is not very popular in El Salvador
- Fencing equipment is expensive and hard to get
- Instituto de los Deportes – INDES
- 1970s Giorgio Scarso brings fencing to El Salvador
- Sable (Saber), Espada (Epe), Florete (Foil)
- How the game is played
- Chess in motion
- Training for speed
- No weight classes, no height classes, no age limits
- Going to the world championships in Torino, Italy in 2006
- Panamerican Games in Rio De Janeiro 2007
- It takes money to travel and to compete
- Gold at the 2010 Central American Games
- Meeting his girlfriend and eventual wife, the gold medalist of the Panamanian team Eileen
- Life as husband and wife, professional fencers
- Preparing for the London Olympics in 2012 with Eric Momberg
- Pre-Olympic Tournament Chile 2012
- Getting one point away from the Olympics, just to have it stolen away
- Trying for the 2016 Olympics
- Eileen goes to the 2016 Olympics in Rio
- Taking a break from fencing to pursue architecture
- Slowly getting back into fencing
- The importance of having the right mental attitude despite obstacles
Show resources:
- Joaquin’s Instagram
- Francisco Alvarado
- Esgrima Sigue Picando Fuerte – elsalvador.com 2003
- Eric Momberg
- Alexander Lepeshinski
Music:
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