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EUFA EURO 2024 - Group Stage ⚽ EPL 24/25 starts Aug 17
It wasn't on this board but thanks for leaping to that conclusion. It's been actioned.
Who was it that they were lucky they got their car in one piece after being in Dandenong yesterday? Any wonder this happened in Dandenong
Outstanding!
Outstanding!
Oh but they were informative enough to drool over ungracious runner-upOnce again, commentators that focus so much on the favourites that they miss the obvious. Lewis didn't get a mention from about 100 to go.
How good is the warm sun today? Perfect weather
21c here after it was 1.6c this morning.Better than that cold sun
Awesome achievements #ProudlyBonzJust giving everyone a heads up here before I go public on socials in the next few days.
In a few weeks time I'm going to retire from competitive fencing.
The support I have gotten here has been extraordinary, especially with the funding towards both Oceanics and the World Cup.
Over the next three weeks I will be doing the following.
- Victorian State Championships - Next Sunday
- 4th to the 7th of May Grand Prix (South Korea - Seoul) - This is the biggest individual event of the year and is the last event if the Olympic Qualifying Season
- 12th of May - National Championships (individuals and Teams) - Brisbane
Funnily when I opened the fundraising I didn't expect to get selected for Korea which was an incredible bonsu (it's the biggest event in Individual Sabre fencing) (Italy was biggest in teams).
As for why I'm retiring
- 33 years old, so whilst I have improved dramatically recently, it's unlikely I would continue this rate, especially as I age and get older.
- Torn PCL and popliteus in knee - Requires an extended break
- Saw multiple professionals doping in Italy (and am aware of some in Australia doing it as well), whilst I get the benefits, I like being clean fit and don't want to do this to keep up.
- Professional sport really takes it out of you both physically and mentally, I'm training 5 days a week, doing ice baths, dieting, doing S&C on top of this and really not getting to live my life.
Lastly and most importantly I have achieved more than I ever thought I would with my fencing especially at my height (169cm)
- Regional champion
- B-Grade Champion
- State Champion (individuals and teams)
- Bronze and Silver medals at Arnold Classic (Also got to meet Arnie and shake his hand)
- National medal Bronze twice with Victoria in teams
- Captained Victoria's team 3 times at nationals
- Top 8 individual oceanic Championships
- Bronze medal representing Australia Oceanic Championships
- Represented Australia in teams at world cup
- Represented Australia in individuals world cup and grand prix
I'm going to give back to the sport though, I am now a qualified personal trainer and soon will be studying strength and conditioning. After travelling I really have identified the biggest difference between the Australian and Asian/ Euro fencers apart from funding is physicality. So want to assist our juniors as we build a platform for 2032.
Once again a HUGE HUGE thank you to this board and Bigfooty in general for the support over the years, if you would like to help towards my last few competitions you can here ->
View attachment 1967308Sam Bonser Fencing Season
Looking for assistance with funding the rest of my fencing season.asf.org.au
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He's a great guy , happy to have had a few catch upsAwesome achievements #ProudlyBonz
Oh mate. That sucks.Not a good day , someone's back on the drugs !
I know after so much hard workOh mate. That sucks.
Sadly they do refer to drug dependency as a life-long illness. I hope there is some support available.I know after so much hard work
Not really and it's hard to relax , mood changes , anger . Was hoping to go together to the G on SundaySadly they do refer to drug dependency as a life-long illness. I hope there is some support available.
That’s ****ed. Sometimes defence lawyers are the worstJust heard the most mind-blowingly infuriating thing on the news tonight. A defence lawyer is arguing that their client should not be given jail time because their client is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and incarceration would exacerbate it.
The infuriating part is that diagnosis of PTSD is due to the fact that they mowed down an innocent person trying to board a tram, while exceeding the speed limit, failing to give way, lying about the incident and leaving the scene of the accident where the victim was left with lifelong injuries including an acquired brain injury..
THE DEFENCE ARE ARGUING FOR A LIGHTER SENTENCE DUE TO PTSD CAUSED BY THE ACT OF THEM BREAKING THE LAW AND NEARLY KILLING SOMEONE!!!!! I've ******* heard it all now.