LOYOLA Neisser

Personal Information

Family Wife Ksenia, son Teylor [2020]

Residence Arlon, BEL

Occupation Armed Forces Athlete

Languages French, Spanish

License number 28071998009

Club

Upcoming Events

Sport Specific Information

When and where did you begin this sport? He took up the sport at age 11 in Cuba.

Why this sport? Fencing was a popular sport in his family. "However, I started with the violin. My mother had enrolled me in a music school, but I didn't like it. I even cried when I had to go. I already preferred fencing. I took out a TV antenna and used it as a sword."

Club / Team CE Gaumais: Belgium

Name of coach Nelson Loyola Torriente [father], CUB

Handedness Right

General Interest

Awards and honours He was named 2022 Sportsman of the Year in Arlon, Belgium. (Ville d'Arlon Facebook page, 01 Jun 2023, 07 Mar 2023)

Famous relatives His father Nelson Loyola Torriente represented Cuba in fencing. He was part of the men's epee team that claimed bronze at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. (SportsDeskOnline, 07 Jul 2022; rtbf.be, 18 Apr 2021)

Ambitions To win a medal at the Olympic Games. (rtbf.be, 18 Apr 2021)

Other information FROM CUBA TO BELGIUM
Born in Cuba, he and his family relocated to Belgium when he was age 16 after his father was appointed national coach of the Belgian fencing team. "When I arrived in Belgium, I thought I was going to smash everything, and I took a little slap for that. There was no internet in Cuba, so I didn't know anything about the competitive level here. I joined the Belgian side when my father obtained Belgian nationality. Then I had to wait for two years, and it prevented me from taking part in official competitions." (dhnet.be, 05 Aug 2022, 28 Apr 2021; rtbf.be, 18 Apr 2021)

ARMED FORCES
In 2019 he joined the Belgian Army after he was offered an elite athlete contract by the Belgian federation. "I am very happy to be part of this elite team. I have the time to train, and the chance to take part in competitions and training camps in order to improve. And when I did my military training, I also enjoyed the military life." (rtbf.be, 18 Apr 2021)