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Who knew that Rice University’s foil is the Olympics’ gain?

Perfecting his thrust, pull and parry are all in a day’s work for Rice University’s Mauro Hamza, recognized as one of America’s top fencing instructors. Hamza really hit his mark in July when he was chosen to coach the U.S. National Men’s Foil team for the 2012 Olympics. A former international competitor from Egypt and coach of the Egyptian National Team in Athens 2004, Hamza will ready the squad for individual and team events, as well as continue teaching Rice students the strategies of landing the perfect touch. Since joining Rice in 1995, he has raised interest — and more than a few swords — in the sport of fencing. In addition to earning a physical education credit in fencing, students also compete against other universities through Rice’s Fencing Club, one of 21 club sports available on campus. Hamza contends that good fencers use physical skills and brains — two traits in plentiful supply at Rice. As Rice’s competitors often say, “Curses, foiled again.”