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Brian Raphael Goldfarb
08/23/2010 - By Gayle Davis
Photo: McKay Imaging (mckayimaging.com)
En Garde with the World
It’s so great when our “Kids Issue” comes around each September, because we get to meet such fascinating kids. And boy, Brian Goldfarb’s list of accolades surely will impress you! He is only 16 years old and has already accomplished more than most people will in a lifetime. He is an award winning fencer and tennis player as well as pianist and philanthropist!
Brian is dedicated to the sport of fencing more than 100%. You can find him at Luchetti Fencing in Princeton at least four times a week where he practices the sport and lends a hand as a Big Brother there. Throughout the years he’s had the opportunity to compete in and take first place in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Fencing Classic and even got to meet the California Governor. This summer, he qualified to attend the Summer Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia and placed 32 in Division 1A Fencing. Most recently Brian accepted the New Jersey Cup in Men’s Foil, and now, the senior at Marlboro High School will persevere and start to focus his attention on getting into one of several prestigious colleges and/or universities on his list that has a top-notch fencing program.
This senior somehow maintains a 4.01 average in school, is the Varsity Tennis Team Captain and does his part to give back, not only to the community, but to the world. He is responsible for helping collect more than 700 pairs of shoes for the “Soles 4 Souls” charity, based in Nashville, Tennessee. This isn’t the only organization Goldfarb is involved with. He lends a hand collecting clothing for the American Red Cross and Books for the Israel Drive.
LIM: Let’s start with a brief description of what fencing is for those who don’t realize the complexity of the combat sport.
BG: Fencing may seem simple for those watching the sport, however, to fully understand the art of fencing there are a lot of guidelines that you must follow. In a typical fencing, tournament that ranges from 10-200 fencers, there is a first round of “bouting” which is known as the “pool.” After the pools, according to how you do in them, you are seeded again in the “direct elimination” or DE. The pool usually consists of six to seven people and the fencer must fence each member of the pool in a five touch bout. The direct elimination bouts go to 15 touches and are separated in three periods, three minutes each period. The more direct elimination bouts you win, the closer you are to your goal. Simple, right?
LIM: Can you please differentiate between the different styles of fencing - Epee, Foil, and Sabre and tell us which style you like the best?
BG: Right. There are three different weapons and styles to choose from when you start to fence. The epee, the sword my brother uses, is a little heavier than the other two blades. In epee style fencing, the “target area” is the whole body. For example, if you hit the foot, it is your point. Foil fencing, the style and weapon that I excel in, has a few differences than that of the epee. In foil fencing, the target area is limited to the torso and the back, and touches that land on other parts of the body would not count towards your score. Foil fencers wear a conductive “lamé” around their jacket (which lights up) to help keep track of whether the opponent has scored a touch. And finally, Sabre fencing is what most people have seen on T.V. Instead of the stabbing motion in foil and epee fencing, “sabreists” slash their opponent in order to score points. Their target area is the torso, arms, back, and head. It is sort of like a Calvary soldier riding a horse and using a sabre against his enemies.
LIM: What type of clothing and protective gear is necessary?
BG: Just like there are three different styles and weapons, each style has its own assortment of gear necessary to fence with. In epee, the fencer wears a glove to protect the hand, “knickers” to protectthe upper legs, high socks to protect the lower legs, plastron to protect the under arm, a jacket over the plastron to protect the torso, and finally the mask to protect the face. Foil fencers wear the same thing, except they must wear a conductive lamé on top of the jacket. Sabre fencers also have to wear a conductive lamé that stretches down their arms as well. In all three weapons, younger fencers wear a chest protector in order to protect their torso more effectively against hard hits to the chest.
LIM: How did you first become interested in fencing and how old were you at the time?
BG: My brother, Carl, and I have always been interested in hand-to-hand combat sports. We did tae-kwon-do from ages 5 until we turned 15, and we both achieved the “black belt.” Movies like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Gladiator influenced us even more into liking such a unique sport. My brother started fencing first at the Atlantic Fencing Academy in Colts Neck. When he used to go I would watch him take lessons and fence other people at the club. I was amazed by the mediation between the mind and body, as all fencers should be both mentally and physically prepared. I immediately took fencing up around one year after my brother did and I can’t imagine my life without doing it.
LIM: Obviously you have worked hard to become a “master” in the fencing world. What do you attribute this to?
BG: In any sport, in order to achieve something great, you must be extremely determined, motivated, and goal oriented, and fencing is no different. It was hard to focus my attention on fencing in the beginning because I was never before overwhelmed by the amount of hours that must go into fencing. I learned to mediate between sports, school, family, and studying for the SAT’s. For the first time in my life I had to prioritize my activities. 1. School. 2. Fencing. And 3. Family.
LIM: How many hours to you practice a week?
BG: Every week during the fencing season (every month besides the summer months) my mom takes me four times a week. Each time I go it is usually for about three hours, one hour of conditioning, and the other two hours of fencing and lessons. There is no slacking off in practice, its three hours of sweating, lunging, and advancing back and forth on the strip.
LIM: Tell us about some of your many and most recent achievements.
BG: Recently I have qualified for the summer nationals down in Atlanta, Georgia, which is an honor itself for any fencer. At the summer nationals I came out in the top 32 in “Div. 1A” fencing. I came in 5th place in the Mr. Ma Cup. The Mr. Ma Cup is hosted every year by the University of Pennsylvania head coach, Andy Ma. The tournament attracts the best of the best fencers from New York, New Jersey, and even Canada. It was an honor to do so well in that tournament. I also came out 5th place in the Regional Open Circuit event. This tournament also attracts the best fencers from the whole Mid-Atlantic region. I have also been honored with winning the NJ CUP in Men’s FOIL for this season. I am extremely honored to have made this achievement. I have competed and done well in many others, but these are the big ones!
LIM: Have you ever had any “close calls?”
BG: Many fencers have “close calls,” but luckily I am not one of them. Besides a few bruises around my torso and a few cuts on my legs, I have been pretty healthy. Many fencers develop sore backs and sore knees, which is why it is necessary to develop strong core muscles, and also develop the muscles around the knees to protect then as much as possible.
LIM: Do you see yourself at the Summer Olympics one day?
BG: Right now my main focus is to fence for a prestigious university, but it would be a dream come true if I did partake in the Summer Olympics. If I train hard enough, put in even more hours and dedication to my fencing, perhaps one day I would be able to compete with the best around the world.
LIM: You practice “bouting” at Lucchetti Fencing in Princeton…is this “the place” to hone your skills?
BG: Lucchetti fencing is one of the many fencing academies in New Jersey. However, the coach,Marcos Luchetti, is a coach like no other. He raised my skill level to that of the elite class of fencers, from where I was just on a stagnant plane in the beginning. Every time I take a lesson from him at the club, I always feel I have improved in some small way. When I am fencing, he is usually there critiquing my skills and giving me advice. Coach Marcos Lucchetti usually brings in elite fencers from all over the globe to practice with us. Our latest fencer was Aron Freidrich from Hungary. He was on the national team there and was very good. If I did not go to Lucchetti fencing, I would not know where I would be today.
LIM: Is that where you are the fencing team captain?
BG: Yes. My responsibilities as the team captain are making sure everyone is working at the best of their ability, and to motivate those who tend to “slack” off. I also give some advice to my fellow team members, and they give advice to me. The team has great chemistry and we get along really well.We are all nationally rated fencers on the team as well. Our team won first place at the NJ qualifier for Summer Nationals.
LIM: You also assist young fencers as a Big Brother…
BG: At the club there are also many up and coming fencers as well. I do my best to help each and every one of them by critiquing their form, giving them new advice, and suggesting ideas that come from experience, something younger fencers don’t necessarily have.
LIM: With your heart and soul devoted to the sport, you also maintain a G.P.A of 4.01 with honors…how do you keep your sports and schooling balanced?
BG: I believe that fencing, tennis, music, and school work all come hand and hand. It has helped me prioritize my life and helped me know the important things that I have to accomplish first. I also have to accommodate my hectic schedule. When my mom is driving me from place to place, I usually do my homework and study in the car, which is “extremely efficient” no matter how nauseous I get. I never slack off in school and I try to retain all the information I can. Finally, I set aside around 30 minutes a day every day to study for the SAT’s.
LIM: You also enjoy tennis and are pretty good at that too…
BG: I have been playing tennis since I was around seven years old. I really enjoyed watching the tennis greats such as Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, and Andy Rodick. When I was 13 years old I went to the Bolettieri Tennis Academy down in Florida. This is where most tennis legends went to train and hone their skills. I used to play around three times a week, but I’ve had to cut that down to twice a week. I am also currently on the Marlboro High School Varsity Tennis team.
LIM: And you are a first degree Black Belt?
BG: Yes, I am a black belt by the USTA; I did tae-kwon-doe when I was five years old up until I received my black belt when I was 15. I used to train with Master An in New York, then I continued to train at the Blue Dragon Martial Arts Studio in New Jersey. I competed in many tournaments and received many trophies and awards.
LIM: And you play the Clarinet, Guitar, Piano?
BG: I started playing piano when I was around seven years old and have not stopped. I try to find time every day to practice not to lose this talent. The piano is very important to me. I played the clarinet all throughout middle school and was in the band there too. I started playing guitar on my own last year and I just play it to have fun and try to make my own songs.
LIM: Do you sleep?
BG: Sleep is hard to come by in my life, but I always somehow find time to do it. Sleep is extremely important, especially for a student-athlete, so I try to at least sleep about seven hours a night.
LIM: There is also a charitable side to you…you are the Captain of “Soles for Souls.” What is your involvement with this?
BG: It seems that many people get caught up in their own lives and don’t seem to give something backto the community and the world. I feel that is it extremely important to do this for others, as well as my own well being. I remember one day I was watching an infomercial about donating food to Darfur. One thing I noticed was that some, if not all of them, did not own a single pair of shoes. When I walk outside barefoot to just get the mail, it is hot. Imagine how they feel in the blistering heat of Africa. Not only that, but walking from place to place would be a great burden without a pair of shoes especially in Africa where the nearest water source may be over a mile away. After watching that program, I did some research the next day and found something called Soles 4 Soles. Right away I knew I had to be a part of it. I set up donation boxes in my mom’s office in New Jersey and in Brooklyn. Many of my fellow peers in school also donated shoes to me as well. So far I believe I collected over 700 pairs of shoes, which I think is incredible.
LIM: Why do you feel it’s important to “give back” to society?
BG: I feel that not enough people are helping and giving aid to others in this world. It is a hard world to live in, but if you can give back something, anything to another human being, that says something. In addition to that, I also get a great feeling inside that I helped someone today and someone may be able to walk today because of me. It’s a warm, great feeling that I cannot begin to describe.
LIM: So is Carl your only sibling?
BG: Yes, and he is currently enrolled as a senior in Brandeis University. He was definitely one of my greatest influences because without him I probably would not have been involved in the sport of fencing, and I don’t know what I would do with my life. Not only that, but he gave me advice when I needed it most, helped me in my studies for school, and was just an all around great brother. He fences epee for the Brandeis Varsity team and is majoring in political science and law.
LIM: Do mom and dad support what you are doing, although there is some risk involved?
BG: Both my parents support all of my efforts; they put in valuable time that sometimes takes them away from their medical offices, to take me to practice and tournaments.
LIM: Do you “get” most of the attention in the family because of all that you do?
BG: I would say now I get most of the attention, but when my brother was applying to college, the attention was focused on him. Fencing certainly takes a toll on a family, especially if you are constantly traveling and when there is no time for “fun and games”. I give a ton of credit to my parents because they are always there at fencing tournaments, always driving me to practice one hour away, and taking me all over the country for numerous national tournaments. “Thanks guys!”
LIM: Born and raised in Marlboro?
BG: I was born in Brooklyn, NewYork on December 1st 1993. I moved to Marlboro when I was infifth grade and I loved it ever since. It’s definitely different from the crowds of New York, but I think the serene environment helps me from going crazy with my hectic life. If I had not moved to Marlboro, I don’t think I would have been involved in fencing, so thank God I moved.
LIM: As you begin your Senior Year of High School, what colleges and/or universities are you considering applying to?
BG: I am extremely interested in fencing for a lot of schools, but I would say my top schools would be the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, New York University, Brown University, Notre Dame, Colombia University, Brandeis University, Ohio State University, and Penn State University.
LIM: You are obviously a busy guy; what do you like to do for fun?
BG: When I do have free time, I like to go outside and enjoy the fresh air with a game of basketball or football, hanging out with friends, going to the movies, throwing in a video game, or reading a great book. Basically normal “kid” stuff.
LIM: What advice would you offer other teens your age that want to get into fencing?
BG: Make sure that you know what you are getting into. There is a lot more to fencing then it seems, as it involves both the mental and physical aspects of your body. I could honestly say, “It takes the strength of a football player, the stamina of a soccer player, and the brains of a chess master in order to be an elite fencer.” Also make sure you have enough time to set aside for this sport, as it easily eats up countless hours. All in all, it’s a great sport, and I truly love it! The feeling that I get when I score a point or win a tournament is like no other and cannot be described on paper.You never know until you try it and I encourage everyone who will put the time and dedication in, to do it.
Favorite Restaurant:
Cheesecake Factory
Favorite Music:
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favorite Movie:
“Gladiator”
Pet Peeve:
Hypocrites
Three People You Would Like to Have Dinner With:
Denzel Washington, George Washington, Albert Einstein
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