Thinking of Claus-Peter Folgner...Master of all Fights

Today, I was thinking of my Fencing Master. I cherish the days when I was fencing with my kids, Kelsi and Zachary in the hustle bustle of life and driving an extra 50 miles and special bouts for years upon years. Self injuries, life ventures, and his own life challenges has made changes to occur.  I love the strict discipline  and sportsmanship Peter inflicted upon me or was it the "special" chocolates.  I feel very fortunate to have known such an athlete and the beauty of his life. Respect and Honor.  ~Thanks to Ed Ploy for the video~

2005 KELLY CUP – CLAUS-PETER FOLGNER 

This year’s recipient is a gentleman who has spent 56 years in the

sport of fencing and is currently retired from a career job but still active

competing and teaching in his sport.

In 1949 Harry Truman was President of the United States, the

Cold War was heating up, and Germany was slowly rising from the

ashes of World War II. Against this backdrop this young man took up

fencing for the first time. In 1953 he immigrated to the U.S.

He immediately went into the military service. He has competed

internationally, first in Germany; then in France, 1951-52; Tokyo and

Korea in 1955; in Hong Kong in 1956; and in the USA from 1953

to present. In 2004, at 72 years of age, he was the second oldest

three-weapon fencer in the country. As late as 2004 this man was

ranked in the top 15 in the world in all three weapons that constitute the

sport – foil, epee, and saber.

During 2003 this man was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and

had to have his esophagus removed. The doctors were amazed at his

rapid recovery, estimated at 2 months faster than normal from a cancer

that has a cure rate of less than 20 percent. His desire to “get back to”

fencing was his main driving force in the fast recovery. He is known to

fiercely compete against a younger fencer in one match and then coach

the same person in their next match against another competitor.

Within a year after his surgery, he took first place in the

Rob Roy Epee Tournament at the Renaissance Faire. In this one-touch

tournament, he took top honors among 40 fencers from Lebanon,

Philadelphia, York, and Washington, DC. In 2004 he competed in the

summer nationals in the 60-plus veteran division and finished 5th in the

saber, 11th in the foil, and 12th in the epee. Toward the end of the year,

he traveled to Richmond, Virginia, and competed in the Northatlantic

Cup, a national competition. He competed in the over-40 arena, which

he said was much tougher than the over 60, where he normally fences.

In 2006 he still continues to fence, but at a more moderate

frequency, but gives back to the sport by teaching at the Donald Heiter

Community Center in Lewisburg and a driving force in the

West Branch Fencers Club. His continued involvement in the sport is

driven by his “unrelenting desire to bring the sport of fencing to

everyone in which he comes in contact.”

A couple of his famous responses are: When queried about facing

younger opponents, “The young people can move just a little faster

than me, but I can outthink them,” and when asked how he feels, he

might reply, “I’m still on the green side of the grass.”

In the 2005 games he fenced all three weapons in five competitions

and medaled twice. He has competed in the games for 5 years.

In previous years he has medaled at least once each year, many times

fencing against much younger opponents.

The 2005 Kelly Cup recipient, from Dornsife, Claus-Peter Folgner.

KELLY CUP

The Kelly Cup is the highest award given by the Keystone State

Games and we believe the most prestigious award given to an athlete in

the State of Pennsylvania for performance in a multisport event. The

award is named for the late Jack Kelly of Philadelphia, who was an

Olympic medalist in rowing, briefly president of the United States

Olympic Committee, and a dedicated leader in amateur sports in the

Commonwealth, the nation, and internationally.

This award is given to an athlete who excels in their sport in the

Keystone State Games, is a force within their sport, and is an active

and positive role model in their community emulating the true

principles of amateur athletics and the spirit of the Keystone State

Games.

~Credit to article in Pa Legislature land~