Marissa Ponich

Biography

Marissa Ponich began competing internationally in 2012-13. Representing Canada wasn’t a goal she had at the beginning of her career, but she realized the possibility was there after she started winning provincial and national tournaments. Competing at her first major multisport games at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games, Ponich finished 10^th in the individual sabre event and helped Canada to a fifth-place finish in team sabre. Ponich has made five appearances at the FIE World Championships and six appearances at the Pan American Championships where she helped the sabre team win bronze in 2013 and 2016 before winning an individual bronze medal in 2017.

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT MARISSA

Getting into the Sport: Started fencing at age 19 when her now-husband introduced her to the sport… Started training three days per week but is a perfectionist so once she does something she wants to do it right; increased her training to four days per week which quickly became five and then six… Outside Interests: Graduated from the University of Alberta in 2010 with First Class Honours Bachelor of Arts in English… Enjoys reading, watching movies and TV, training, travelling, having a social life during the off season… Odds and Ends: Favourite quote: “If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.” – Anthony Robbins… Collects magnets from the cities she visits for international events