BEIJING - Sherraine Schalm's Olympic dreams have come to an end with a 15-13 loss in the round of 16 of the individual epee to Hungary's Ildiko Mincza-Nebald.
The veteran fencer from Brooks, Alta., a three-time Olympian and fifth-ranked in the world, was poised to make history at the Beijing Games as the first Canadian to win an Olympic fencing medal.
The Canadian swordswoman led the entire bout before Mincza-Nebald, the fourth-place finisher at the 2004 Athens Olympics, took control in the final three points, en route to victory.
Schalm was devasted by the loss.
"It's like I imagine being a man, it's like being kicked in the nuts repeatedly, that's how bad it feels, you feel like you want to curl up and die," Schalm said. "I'm trying to put it all in perspective, immediately it's not so easy, but it's just really tough, you train so long and I feel like I disappointed myself, my coach, my family, my country, everybody.
"I wish none of you ever have to go through this feeling of loss and feeling of disappointment, and the only thing that I can say is it's definitely not going to kill me so it will have to make me stronger."
Earlier Wednesday, Joshua McGuire of Hamilton fell in the round of 16 in men's foil, dropping a 15-3 decision to Salvatore Sanzo of Italy.
McGuire, ranked 21st, won his opening match 11-10 over Or Tomer of Israel.
"The first fencer I fought had a very strong technique which better suited my fencing style; I prefer attacks which give me more time to react," said McGuire. "The Italian (Sanzo) in my second bout was very fast and because of his style I had little time to react; he dominated throughout the competition."
