Park Slope Olympic Fencer Race Imboden Handles Losing Like a Champ

With a name like Race, he was born to compete (side note: we're all collectively happy that fellow American Olympic athlete Destinee Hooker was destined to play volleyball, right?). Sadly, 19 year-old ginger-haired Park-Slope fencing prodigy Race Imboden was eliminated from Olympic competition this past Tuesday, but not after putting up a great fight and showing genuine sportsmanship. Park Slope moms, go ahead and pat yourselves on the back.

Though he started strong, taking an early victory against Brazilian star Guilherme Toldo, Imboden lost in the round of 16 to Italy’s 26-year-old Andrea Baldini. After being eliminated from the Men’s Individual Foil competition, the young gent took to his Facebook page to humbly thank his supporters with a heartfelt message quite mature beyond his 19 years.  

Today was not my Day. Baldini was fencing extremely well and all I can say is that he has always been a fencer that I look up to and have grown up watching. It has been a great year for me, coming as far as I have this year with my fencing has not only been a gift but also an honor to represent my country. I have learned a lot from my journey and it is far from over. This has been a great start of a legacy that I hope to someday leave. The support I have seen from the World for me and the sport I love has gone far beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. Thank you guys so much because without you guys none of this is possible. I am far from satisfied with my result today but this will only drive me and I am already looking forward to getting back to training. Congratulations to El Sayed , Choi, and Lei.  Now on to the Team event! #THANKYOU

While Race was eliminated from competition in the Individual Foil, he will have another chance to compete in the Men's Team Foil against France on Sunday. No matter what happens, he has certainly earned the Olympic rings tattooed on his arm (also: bonus points for keeping up an impeccable hipster hairdo underneath the fencing armor!) For all of the sacrifice and training, he has a lot to be proud of, and I think we can all agree that Park Slope is proud to call him one of our own.   

So with hopes of Park Slope fencing gold now out of view, I guess it’s time to turn my viewing back to my the riveting world of badminton. OMG you guys, that shit cray.