What is fencing ?

Fencing was considered the Sport of Kings because it was practiced by royalty and the upper class. The fencing arts were practiced for the sport and to learn to protect themselves should they end up in a duel.

Swordplay has been practised for thousands of years, and modern day fencing began as a form of military training. It did not become a sport until around the 15th century.Swordplay has been practised for thousands of years, as evidenced by carvings depicting fencers found in a temple near Luxor dating from around 1190 BC. From the 16th to the 18th century, duels were common, with combatants using a variety of weapons including quarterstaffs and backswords. Such bouts were bloody and occasionally fatal.

BIRTH OF THE SPORT

Fencing began the move from a form of military training to a sport in either the 14th or 15th century. Both Italy and Germany lay claim to its origins, with German fencing masters organising the first guilds in the 15th century, the most notable being the Marxbruder of Frankfurt, formed in 1478.

OLYMPIC HISTORY

Fencing was included for the first time at the 1896 Games in Athens, and has remained on the Olympic programme since then. The women’s fencing competition entered the Games in 1924 in Paris. Today, men and women compete in individual and team events, in which three types of weapon are used: foil, epee and sabre. The foil was, at first, the only weapon used by women, until the 1996 Games in Atlanta, when women’s epee was introduced. Women’s sabre appeared for the first time on the Olympic programme in Athens in 2004. Among the figures who have marked this sport, Italy’s Nedo Nadi is the only fencer to have won a medal in every weapon in a single edition of the Games. In 1912, at the age of 18, he won in the foil. Then, after being decorated by his country for acts of bravery during the First World War, he won five gold medals in Antwerp in 1920, a historic and unequalled record: in the individual foil and sabre events, and in the team foil, epee and sabre events.

In modern times

Fencing has become an Olympic Sport. In fact, it’s one of only 5 summer sports contested in every modern Olympic summer games since 1896. It is a fun and very safe individual activity that is terrific for all ages and athletic abilities. It is also a multi-dimensional sport that teaches people to enjoy winning and to profit from defeat. It has often been referred to as “Physical Chess” because you learn to overcome your opponent by using strategy, technique, and physical endurance.

Fencing for all ages

Fencers learn to make complex decisions, to analyze problems, and to think quickly. They develop Life Skills that help them achieve their potential in all that they do. Fencing encourages the development of self-confidence, teaches respect and promotes fitness. Fencing is also a great activity for developing general athletic skills including: hand to eye coordination, speed, and agility. Fencers learn to compete individually as well as for a team.

History of fencing in India

Fencing started in India with foundation of Fencing Association of India in 1974. It was recognized by Indian Government in 1997. It is affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association, Asian Fencing Confederation, Commonwealth Fencing Federation and Federation International d'Escrime (FIE).[1] The association has been holding national competitions in Sub-Junior (1999), Cadet (2004), Junior (1992) and Senior (1986) categories, both for boys/men and girls/women. In Feb 2016, The Indian contingent at the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championship in Damam, Saudi Arabia won two silver and three bronze medals. In the individual events, 17-year-old Karan Singh clinched bronze in the Junior Boys Sabre event while SN Siva Magesh, 14, won silver in the Cadet Boys Épée event. This is the first time that India has won a medal in the Junior (Under 20) category.[2] In May 2017, India's C. A. Bhavani Devi won the gold medal in the sabre event of the Turnoi Satellite Fencing Championship held at Reykjavik in Iceland and became the first Indian to win a gold medal in an international fencing event. She had previously won a silver medal in a satellite event. Modern Fencing was originated in 18th century in Italian and French schools. Fencing Authority of India was founded in 1974 and in 1997 the Olympic Association of India registered the Fencing India. After that Indian fencer start playing in international competitions.