Liefting, 60, set for one last Golden Pliers competition

After 40 years of competing, Nick Liefting is preparing to lace up his boots one last time for this year’s Fieldays Golden Pliers fencing competition.

The Pukekohe contractor is set to retire following his 60^th birthday. His presence this year will make him the first 60-year-old to compete at the Golden Pliers competition, an achievement which crowns appearances that started when he was just 19.

Liefting has won the Golden Pliers competition twice, and finished first for last 28 years straight, often beating out younger men by hours.

Liefting believes the Golden Pliers is the Olympics of fencing competitions.

“It’s like the 1500m at the Olympics – it’s the event…not only nationally but internationally, it’s a very recognised competition.”

He announced two years ago that 2015 would be his last competition, admitting the body did not function as well as it used to.

“Why go on any longer when the body is starting to say ‘hey, what are you doing?’” he asked.

Although still in good condition (thanks to working out regularly at the gym), he has had his fair share of setbacks including a knee replacement 18 months ago, a shoulder reconstruction, and back pain.

He is known for being first off the line every time during the competition, but says he tends to lose points on the quality of his fences.

“Because I’m quick I haven’t been pedantic with my quality, which the others pick up on… It is judged very severely, with tape measures and spirit levels and everything.”

Over the years he has seen a vast change in fencing.

“When I first started you competed and then you walked away, and then 12 months later you gave it another go.

“It is probably easier now for a new competitor from when I first started because they get a judging standards sheet so everybody knows what the judges are actually looking for.”

Although Nick does not train for the Golden Pliers anymore, he does focus on his health and nutrition, comparing the event to an ironman.

“It’s like an ironman, it will take you five hours but the last guy it could take seven… You don’t stop, so you have to be hydrated and well-nourished throughout and to the end.”

He said he hired a personal trainer who set up a nutrition programme for the physical event.

“You can be as fit as you like, but you need to have a nutrition programme for fuel and food intake before and during the competition.”

A highlight for Nick was in 2008, when the winner of the Golden Pliers was set to compete at the International Fencing Competition in Germany held every second year. Although he did not win the Golden Pliers that year, the sponsors offered him a wildcard entry after seeing his performance at Fieldays.

At 53 years old he won the International Fencing Competition, beating the Golden Pliers winner.

Liefting admits he always find finals day stressful but believes nothing really prepares competitors for the main event.

“Competing in the Golden Pliers and putting up a fence are two completely different scenarios. You can be the best fence farmer in the world but you’ll be a disaster in the competition and vice versa.

“A farmer will comment on what you’ve done well, a judge is looking for all your mistakes. And that’s hard for people to handle.”

He has a lot of knowledge and experience when it comes to fencing, and provides beneficial advice for participants or people eager to get involved in fencing competitions.

“Once you know what the requirements are, that’s probably the biggest hurdle.

“It’s not such much building the fence, but where to spend time on the fence and where not to spend the time… then there is the time component and, also, what the judges are looking for.”

Although this is his last year as a competitor, Liefting will be back next year as a judge, and continue to help out at regional events.

“I want to encourage some of the newer and younger entrants, and coach them about requirements and encourage them in the speed element.”

• This year is looking like a huge event with a veritable who’s who of fencing likely to either compete in, commentate on, or watch the event.
• The list includes Bill Schuler, developer of current industry best practice; Trevor Woolston, a former Golden Pliers winner ;  14-time event winner and world champion Paul van Beers; two-time event winner Shane Boskull.