What was your most memorable or proudest moment in fencing?
In 1983 the annual Antillian Fencing championships were held in Aruba and I had done pretty well at foil and epee fencing (second and third place respectively. Sabre was not yet fenced and judged with electric apparatus. I managed to defeat the greatest number of opponents and won the saber-championship. Another event which made me feel proud took place some years before I became champion. In a pool of 9 fencers, Jan Boutmy, for years Curacao’s best saber fencer, Mike Hellement (second best) and myself ended up with an equal number of victories. So there would be barrages to find out the sequence. The first round of bouts resulted in one victory each and one defeat. The second round was the same: one victory and one defeat for each of us. The third round gave the final positions, Jan number one. Mike number two and I was number three. Yet I was proud to have been in their company.

If there was something you would change in fencing in Curacao, what would that be?
Fencing should be shown on TV more often to increase the interest in this beautiful sport.

Will you share with us one of your "magic" tricks (in being healthy and in fencing)?
I have always admired strong men and before I came to Curacao I had taken a course to develop my body, without weights. I came to this dushi island in December 1932 and started training with weights. In december 1936 I could lift 200 pounds (90 kg) in the "clean and jerk" lift. I was 45 when I joined the Musketiers and kept in shape attending the weekly physical training and fencing instructions. I stopped fencing when I turned 95, on account of balance difficulties. My "magic" trick in foil, is a combination of movements, hit theopponent’s foil on the outside with your weapon, faint on the inside, return under and over his weapon and lunge with arm stretched. I make the same movement with saber, but the final movement is hitting his sleeve on the outside. I have never been very good at fencing with epee, so I have no "magic" trick to reveal.

What bout would you want to do over?
I have done so many bouts in the past so I have no particular one in mind. Every one is the result of either a missed chance or a successful action.

Is there anything you would still like to do, learn of anywhere to go?
I would like to have my balance restored and go on fencing once in a while. After all, I should be content with what I have achieved so far and should not wish for the impossible.