Sassari Being 75 years old (“76 in December”, he specifies) and not feeling them. “Age is a number, the spirit counts.” Word of Rita Barria, from Sassari, retired teacher and fencing champion. The latest medals last week at the Italian masters championships in the over 70 category: bronze in saber and epee. But in Rita’s house there are countless cups on the shelf. «In 2021 I won the gold medal in the Italian Cup in the epee, bronze in 2022 and 2023, the my grandchildren call me Lady Oscar».
Congratulations, getting on the stage and winning, at 75 years old, is not for everyone.
«It’s a passion born by chance five years ago, a friend of mine with whom I attend Tai Chi courses told me that she had fallen in love with fencing and invited me to try. “You have the right body,” she told me.
And so it ended at the Sassari fencing club, with masters Sandro Bartoletti and Gianfranco Masia.
«I took a few trial lessons and I immediately liked shooting, I was immediately surrounded by so much affection and kindness. So I started training seriously with Sandro in saber and épée and with Gianfranco in foil.”
Then came the tournaments and medals.
«I didn’t think I would like the competition so much. But competing is also a great excuse to travel, one of my passions. Last year I was in Zadar for the World Cup.”
Isn’t it tiring at your age?
«How can you say it’s hard work if you’re having fun?»
Do you train every day? «At the club two, three times a week, two more times I go to dance school and then there’s Tai Chi, I also train with the Chinese sword and sabre. I forgot, I have a punching bag at home, another way to release tension.”
She is tireless, was she like that as a girl too?
«I swam, I rode horses but I’ve never done sports at a competitive level. I’ve discovered competition now and I have to say it was a surprise. I like to win.”
She is in great shape. «I weigh 48 kilos for 1.60 metres, I have always been slim, sport helps, there is no doubt, I would recommend it to all women».
Well, what do her friends think of her new passion?
«They’re all crazier than me, over-busy. And in any case I don’t hang out with people my age, my friends are all younger than me.”
You have always had something to do with young people.
«In my first life I was a literature teacher, the last teaching position in Sorso, in middle school, I have wonderful memories of the years spent at school. Young people give you an incredible boost.”
Next goals?
«I’m waiting for a call-up for the Masters World Championships scheduled in Dubai from 6 to 12 October. I have never visited the United Arab Emirates, it would be the right opportunity. I hope that the Federation remembers me.”
How long do you want to continue on the platform?
«As long as my body and mind allow me, when you fight, age is just a number, it’s the spirit that makes the difference».
What do your grandchildren tell you? «I didn’t have any children but I have a lot of grandchildren. They have always been used to having an energetic aunt”
