Rossella Fiamingo, from Catania, is the current world individual women’s epee champion, a title she has won two years in a row. With Laura Flessel-Colovic (FRA) and Mariann Horvath (HUN) she is among the only women with multiple world titles in this event. Aged 24, Fiamingo has a degree in pianoforte and studies nutrition at the University of Catania.

1. What do you remember of when you started practising fencing?

   I remember that I was one of the slowest to learn exercises and my lessons often finished a few seconds after they had begun because my teacher would become exasperated and send me to sit down. Even so, I never expected it but then I learned to watch and when it was my friends’ turn I made an effort to understand how I was getting things wrong. Once I got the hang of it the lessons became much longer and more enjoyable.

2. You won the gold medal in the individual epee at the Fencing World Championships in Kazan 2014 and Moscow 2015. What are your expectations for the upcoming competitions in 2016?

   I am still short of the last qualifying competition and for me it’s a target competition. It’s important to finish by qualifying for the Olympics in the best possible way; 2016 didn’t start off in the right way but the important competitions are going to be coming up and I can still make up for things.

3. How do you perceive the Fencing Grand Prix series after your experience and how do you feel about having a higher media visibility through the exposure on Euronews and Eurosport ?

   The constant presence of the media at FIE Grand Prix meetings is a really important step. Our sport is fantastic and it’s a shame not to let the public see it at home. But I think we could still do more, maybe with even more advertising. And more repeats so that it’s easier to find fencing on TV. It will never be as omnipresent as football in Italy but it can be as popular as tennis and we are going in the right direction.

4. You finished 7th at London Olympics 2012, what are your ambitions for the Rio Olympics 2016?

   In 2012 I knew that it was possible to win a medal but just taking part was already a victory. Now as double world champion it’s my duty to qualify, and win a medal as well. I am not going to Rio to take part. The way I’ll enjoy myself is by winning and I’ll be more than happy to be on the podium with any kind of medal. And if I ever get there it will be important for me to take the gold, I am quite sure!

5. Can you tell us a little about your training schedule, its frequency and about your nutrition?

   I train five days a week, morning and afternoon. I do physical preparation two or three times a week, fencing four or five times and often I do pair exercises. Once or twice I have a lesson. When I don’t have any preparation I like to go running. At one time I followed a diet but now I know what’s good to eat and what isn’t (I study nutrition). I am very keen on the Mediterranean diet and it suits me best. I don’t weigh myself because I know how to cut back on things. I like good food and I am not a traditional model athlete who never eats anything sweet. I do eat those things but without overdoing it.

6. Can you tell us a little about your social life when you are not training ?

   Sometimes when I am not training I like to relax. I play the piano, I read a book and I sleep a lot to regain my energy. Sometimes after training I can’t wait to dress up and go out with friends, go to the cinema, go out dancing.

7. Have you ever had to deal with a difficult situation in your sport or generally in your life that influenced your sporting career and if so how did you overcome it?

   Unfortunately, difficult times are always around. From a personal point of view issues outside the sport are very unlikely to have an adverse effect on my results in the sport because I’m able to avoid mixing problems. It’s normal to go through tough times in my sport (accidents and other things) especially in the years when I won important medals: I overcame these problems with determination, self-confidence and positivity. At the end of the day the love you put into something you do and hard work always pay off. You need to be positive and sooner or later… everything comes to those who wait.