Sassy fencer: On Fencing Competitions

As one of my club's coaches said ''fencing without participating in competitions, is like a soup without salt''. So the time has come to put my fencing skills to the test, early in June specifically. I am already stressed, it's different fencing the same members at the club to fencing total strangers (which are definately of a higher level than I am). But anyway I think it will be a great experience and if I can pass the first round I will be more than happy. I will be joining an individual event. For individual events there are one or two seeding rounds (poules) followed by direct elimination rounds, sometimes with repechage. (see wiki for more info)

A few infos on official comps:

Given that you have a fencing pass, you need to pay a fee to enter the competition and register yourself.
Make sure your equipment meets the standards of the competition.
When you enter the competition your name will be called out when it's your turn to fence. The first person to hear their name takes place on the right of the referee.
When a leftie is competing he is always on the left side no matter whose name is called first.
First you salute your opponent and then the ref.
The ref is always right, don't try and contradict him. If you must, ask him in a polite way why he made that decision.
For inapropriate behaviour you can get a warning-yellow card (e.g. when you take the mask off without the ref allowing it), a red card (e.g. if you are being brutal) or if you let the opponent win on purpose, and finally a black card which means your exclusion from the competition (e.g. if you change the equipment in some way in order to win, if you don't salute your opponent, if you don't turn up after your name has been called out thrice)
The new rules dictate that you salute your opponent at the end of the bout as well and then you shake hands.