OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Brave face can't hide Bentley's disappointment

By Daniel Schofield, Sportsbeat, London 2012

BRITISH fencer Anna Bentley put on brave face after her heart breaking defeat in the first round of the women’s individual foil at London 2012.

HEART BREAK: Anna Bentley cannot match Monica Peterson as the Brit loses in Olympic debut

Facing Canada’s Monica Peterson, placed 122 rungs above her in the world rankings, Bentley made a brisk start to her debut Olympics going 3-1 ahead only for that lead to quickly evaporate.

Her 28-year-old opponent was happy to try to defensively guard her 8-6 advantage for much of the second and third rounds, but 31-year-old Bentley drew level with 18 seconds remaining and, with just six seconds left on the clock, took the lead once more.

Peterson though scored a hit with one second left and in sudden death extra time the Canadian scored a somewhat dubious winning hit to triumph 10-9 and eliminate a philosophical Bentley at the last 64 stage.

The Scot, who was selected for Team GB in June, said: “In the last hit I felt it was mine and once she attacked me I took over but you have to go by the referee’s decision.

“I got really nervous in the second period and I managed to find a way through in the final period again.

“She was really effective at what she does but she’s really awkward to hit. There was not much of a target to hit – it was fun but it was not fun when you are losing.

“To be honest, because I was selected on the team, I got a place here when my ranking did not really merit it.

“So I have been using this experience to help get ready for the team event with the crazy stuff that goes on. It has been mental.”

Bentley will be back in action on August 2 in the women’s foil team event together with Sophie Troiano and Natalia Sheppard – who faced each other in their own last 64 encounter.

And Bentley, who finished 13th at the 2011 European Championships in Sheffield, is hoping their feisty encounter, which Sheppard won 12-9, will have no bearing on their chances in the team event, when they face Egypt on Thursday morning.

“It has been a bit awkward with Natalia and Sophie fencing each other,” she said.

“The atmosphere has been a bit different.

“Everyone is cool but everyone has kept themselves to themselves to stay focussed. I am really hoping we can all come together and focus on the team event rather than the individual events.”

© Sportsbeat 2012