In 1984, Escondido resident Saul Mendoza competed in the Olympics, representing his native country of Bolivia. More than two decades later, in 2005, he opened the San Diego Fencing Center in Escondido to train athletes in the sport he loves.

With sword-fighting front and center in films such as the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series, prospective students have gained exposure to the ancient sport. Mendoza’s center, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, now trains about 75 competitive and amateur fencers and has seen two of its former students earn fencing scholarships to Yale.

Mendoza, 50, talks about the appeal and challenges of fencing.

Q: How did you become interested in fencing?


A: I grew up in Bolivia and was exposed to the sport through friends in my neighborhood. I loved the personal challenge that fencing provides, and I pushed myself to compete and train with athletes above my level. My local club supported me and exposed me to an international culture of travel and sports etiquette that I would not otherwise have been part of. I was a three-time South American champion by the age of 18 and qualified to compete for Bolivia in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 1984. Additionally I competed in junior and senior world championships.

Q: Who are your influences and inspirations in the world of fencing?

A: My greatest influences in the sport of fencing were my coaches, Pedro Bleyer and Eduardo Auza. Through their encouragement and instruction, I gained self-confidence and discipline and a love for the sport. Skills I learned through sport I use everyday in work and personal and professional relationships. I feel very lucky that as a young boy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, I had access to a Hungarian fencing school, and it was just luck that a coach from Hungary lived in my neighborhood.

Q: What are the benefits of fencing for participants in the sport?


A: Fencing develops teamwork, leadership and critical thinking skills. It is a highly visual spatial task and works on fine motor skills. For our young athletes, parents report improved attention. The tactical aspects allow girls and boys to train together because here the focus is not on strength but on control, technique in combination with quick decision-making. It’s an equal playing field.

Q: How do you help athletes develop their skills as competitive or amateur fencers?

A: We have all levels of athletes, from recreational to locally, nationally or internationally competitive. If an athlete’s aspirations are solely recreational, we will still help them improve their skills the same as for the fencer who trains for important events. In fencing, it’s not about identifying an athlete with potential, it’s about student-coach teamwork in developing the athlete that wants to go further. This is not a quick sport to master; it takes years of dedication and training.

Q: How did you decide to open the fencing center?


A: After moving to Escondido, we started the process of searching for a commercial site for our business with the idea of additionally opening a fencing school. Ultimately, we ended up purchasing an empty lot and constructing the commercial building, opening the San Diego Fencing Center in 2005.

Q: Please tell us about your experience as an Olympic fencer for Bolivia.

A: Competing in the Olympics for Bolivia was a huge honor. Los Angeles did an amazing job hosting and welcoming all athletes. My best life experience.

Q: One of your students will be fencing for Yale this year. Can you tell us about him?


A: Walter Musgrave started fencing at 9 years old and has always been a dedicated hardworking athlete. He rarely missed a group class, took private lessons, competed at local tournaments, national and international tournaments as well as volunteered at local events as a referee and support for organizers. Through this sincere love of the sport, he developed a beautiful fencing resume. Obviously, he is also a dedicated student and this combination made him appealing to many of the NCAA fencing programs. We feel great knowing that as a new freshman, he will have his fencing team as a built-in support system. Actually, Walter is the second student I’ve had accepted to Yale. It’s wonderful that so many great universities in this country recruit fencers and that these programs are accessible to our athletes.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

A: In times of adversity, remember that the difficult moments will pass like clouds in the sky, stay focused on your long-term goals.

Q: What would people be surprised to find out about you?


A: My fencing students would be surprised to know that I was competitive in street cycling and almost chose training in cycling over fencing.

Q: What is your ideal San Diego weekend?

A: Escondido is so beautiful there is nothing better than swimming in the backyard, barbecuing with my wife and kids, enjoying the mountain views and beautiful weather.

What I love about Escondido ...


South Escondido has a rich culture. We have Grand Avenue street scene, a pocket of organic health stores, great private and public school options and access to hiking and nature.