FENCING

Fencing is part of the “family” of the combat sports using bladed weapons. Human beings have always tried to invent weapons to defend themselves against nature and other human beings and the long history of fencing gives a marvellous account of all that. 

The weapons survived in modern fencing are foil, epee and sabre in which men and women compete individually and in teams. The distinction between the weapons is based on their shape, on the target area, and on the rules which are specific to each weapon. Thus, there are specific strategies in each weapon to score a point. 

However, all disciplines have something in common:  they unite elegance and tactics, action and reaction and appeal to both the body and the mind. Concentration and coordination is a must for all fencers. Just as the spirit of respect and politeness towards the opponent, the referee and the audience which is demonstrated by the traditional salute before and after a match.

After the 1st edition in Beijing (2010), fencing has been included in the SAWCG. The fencing competitions are run in accordance with the International Fencing Federation (FIE) that will bring 96 top athletes to the 2013 edition of the World Combat Games in St. Petersburg, Russia. The disciplines and format have not been confirmed yet.

International Fencing Federation (FIE)