About Fencing
In the broadest possible sense, fencing is the art of armed combat. In contemporary common usage, fencing refers specifically
to European schools of swordsmanship and to the modern Olympic sport that has evolved out of them.
Fencing is one of the four sports that has been featured at every modern Olympic Games. The modern weapons for sport fencing are the foil,
épée, and sabre.
The Weapons
Foil, épée and sabre are the three weapons used in the sport of fencing. While it is not unusual for fencers to compete
in all three events, they generally choose to develop their skills in one weapon. Until recently, women were permitted to
compete only in foil, but now the USFA & FIE offer national competitions for women in épée and sabre. Women's épée was added
to the World Championships in 1989 and was held for the first time at the Olympic Games in 1996.
Foil and épée are point-thrusting weapons. Sabre is a point-thrusting as well as a cutting weapon. The target areas
differ for the three weapons, though all three are scored electrically.
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| Famous Fencers |
- Winston Churchill, won Public Schools Fencing championship in foil in his youth.
- Harry Truman, fenced in his youth in Missouri.
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| Fencing Trivia |
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There was originally no time limit on a fencing bout, until a Masters Championship bout in New York in the 1930s lasted for seven hours.
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| Fencing Books & Accessories |
Support SSC and learn more about fencing with books like these:
By the Sword
The Science of Fencing and more
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