Harry Saner is an Olympian and also so, so much more. Zareena Gaibee had a chat with him post-bout – that’s what they call a fencing match.
Paris, France (29 July 2024) – Harry Saner’s Olympic debut may not have ended in a medal, but he is a gem. This University of the Witwatersrand Sportsman of the Year took his medieval dreams all the way to the grand stage of the Olympics, making every second count.
From Dreams to Reality
From a young boy fascinated by knights and jousting to an Olympian, Harry’s journey is really rather cool. His love for all things medieval and then watching the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, young Harry discovered competitive fencing and begged his parents to let him try the sport. By 2010, he was hooked, dedicating all his energy to mastering it. Despite his early exit, he gives South Africans renewed hope for what is possible. “Yeah, right. It sucks,” he admitted candidly after his match. But Harry knows the significance of his participation, cherishing his “15 minutes of fame” as a childhood dream come true.
Challenges and Family Support
Reflecting on his unfortunately one-and-only bout at these games, Harry was clear about what went wrong. “I just lost the initiative… I just missed it.” Yet, his optimistic spirit shines through. He’s committed to improving, viewing every bout as a learning opportunity. He did start off keeping things quite tight but, unfortunately, wasn’t able to see it through.
Inspiring the Next Generation and Balancing Life
Harry’s journey isn’t just about personal achievement; it’s about inspiring the next generation. He shared a touching story about his friend Katie in Cape Town, who is coaching young fencers who didn’t believe that their coach knows an Olympian.
Seeing their excitement fuels his hope for a stronger South African fencing team in the future not just individual athletes. Alongside his fencing career, Harry is also pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Wits. Balancing the demands of a rigorous academic programme with the intense training required for fencing showcases his remarkable dedication and time management skills.
The Iconic Moustache and Overwhelming Support
Harry’s iconic moustache has become a memorable part of his persona, which he humorously credits for some of his support. He says he grew it during Movember, “and then I was like wait I could also qualify and go to Paris and France and fence so why not have a nice little mustache for the French crowd”.
The support from his family and fans has been a significant boost. “It’s a very, very prideful moment,” he said, noting how he teared up seeing his family there because of how beautiful it was. The thousands of messages he received show just how much his journey means to many – understandably so. He is just so lovely and likeable. He initiates hand shakes and was happy to take a picture right after his Olympic competition ended.
Harry on fencing
When asked how he would describe fencing to someone watching at home, he shared, “Well, depends what sword. You like? What fencing is, is just an absolutely beautiful, mix of physical, and mental prowess, and it just culminates all into one graceful sport. That is just beautiful to watch, beautiful to fence, and it’s just, it’s like a real real life fantasy.”
If that doesn’t interigue you about the man and the sport I am not sure what will. Thanks Harry for taking us back in time and into the Olympics!
Zareena Gaibee will be on the ground in Paris for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics events, sharing her take on the prestigious sporting event, giving exclusive insights into life at the games, and hopefully meeting many of the South Africans in Paris who are competing and supporting. She will be reporting her findings for Good Things Guy, giving readers a glimpse of what flying the flag in Paris is all about.
You can follow her series via Good Things Guy here.
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