About MAXIME BRINCK-CROTEAU
“Change it or accept it.” – This is the mantra of Olympic Fencer, Maxime Brinck-Croteau.
Brinck-Croteau is no stranger to the provincial, national, and world fencing circuits. In 2015, he was named ‘Senior Male Athlete of the Year’ by the Canadian Fencing Federation for outstanding performance, exceptional talent, sportsmanship, and dedication to the sport of fencing.
Raised in Gatineau, Quebec, Brinck-Croteau started fencing épée at the age of 10 and never stopped. He took on the intensive “Sports-Études” program in high school, comprising a compressed but full academic courseload, which accommodated for athletic training every day.
Brinck-Croteau’s persistence paid off when he qualified for the Junior National Team at the age of 17, but struggled to maintain a competitive standing for the next few years. These challenges only hardened the young athlete’s resolve to perform better.
In 2010, having completed his Computer Engineering Degree from the Université du Québec en Outaouais, Brinck-Croteau leapt at the opportunity of moving to BeiJing, China to work and to train with world-class fencers at the Vango Fencing Club. Despite his lack of Mandarin and being worn from his travels, Brinck-Croteau impressed Vango’s Director, as well as the Chinese National Coach at their initial meeting with his fencing skill level, discipline, eagerness, and approachability.
Over the next three years, Brinck-Croteau garnered invaluable experience as a respected coach, dependable teammate, and a world-class athlete through his intensive training, teaching, and travelling. During his tenure with Vango, he assisted the establishment of 6 new club locations in China. He graced the podium at tournaments on either side of the world, holding the accolade of two-time Canada Cup Champion, as well as medals from Hong Kong and Thailand.
In the summer of 2014, Vango opened its inaugural international location in Markham, Ontario, where Brinck-Croteau now resides. He divides his time at Vango amongst coaching, training, and spreading his love for fencing so others too, may benefit from the sport.
In the summer of 2015, Brinck-Croteau defied all odds at the Pan-American Fencing Championships in Santiago, Chile in April 2015 where he won Silver, losing only to 2012 Olympic Champion, Ruben Limardo from Venezuela. Bolstered by this win, Brinck-Croteau was going strong on the path of his Olympic dream.
After many tournaments all over the world spread on seven months, he has finally done it! March 20th 2016: Brinck-Croteau qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. All the work, training, sacrifices, sweat and blood paid off. But no time for celebration yet because the Games are coming up fast and preparation is everything. Time to roll up the sleeves and go back to training! Now that the qualification is done, time to focus on bringing the first fencing Olympic medal to Canada!
Brinck-Croteau is no stranger to the provincial, national, and world fencing circuits. In 2015, he was named ‘Senior Male Athlete of the Year’ by the Canadian Fencing Federation for outstanding performance, exceptional talent, sportsmanship, and dedication to the sport of fencing.
Raised in Gatineau, Quebec, Brinck-Croteau started fencing épée at the age of 10 and never stopped. He took on the intensive “Sports-Études” program in high school, comprising a compressed but full academic courseload, which accommodated for athletic training every day.
Brinck-Croteau’s persistence paid off when he qualified for the Junior National Team at the age of 17, but struggled to maintain a competitive standing for the next few years. These challenges only hardened the young athlete’s resolve to perform better.
In 2010, having completed his Computer Engineering Degree from the Université du Québec en Outaouais, Brinck-Croteau leapt at the opportunity of moving to BeiJing, China to work and to train with world-class fencers at the Vango Fencing Club. Despite his lack of Mandarin and being worn from his travels, Brinck-Croteau impressed Vango’s Director, as well as the Chinese National Coach at their initial meeting with his fencing skill level, discipline, eagerness, and approachability.
Over the next three years, Brinck-Croteau garnered invaluable experience as a respected coach, dependable teammate, and a world-class athlete through his intensive training, teaching, and travelling. During his tenure with Vango, he assisted the establishment of 6 new club locations in China. He graced the podium at tournaments on either side of the world, holding the accolade of two-time Canada Cup Champion, as well as medals from Hong Kong and Thailand.
In the summer of 2014, Vango opened its inaugural international location in Markham, Ontario, where Brinck-Croteau now resides. He divides his time at Vango amongst coaching, training, and spreading his love for fencing so others too, may benefit from the sport.
In the summer of 2015, Brinck-Croteau defied all odds at the Pan-American Fencing Championships in Santiago, Chile in April 2015 where he won Silver, losing only to 2012 Olympic Champion, Ruben Limardo from Venezuela. Bolstered by this win, Brinck-Croteau was going strong on the path of his Olympic dream.
After many tournaments all over the world spread on seven months, he has finally done it! March 20th 2016: Brinck-Croteau qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. All the work, training, sacrifices, sweat and blood paid off. But no time for celebration yet because the Games are coming up fast and preparation is everything. Time to roll up the sleeves and go back to training! Now that the qualification is done, time to focus on bringing the first fencing Olympic medal to Canada!
