What is the fencing?
Fencing is a very old traditional and prestigious Olympic sport that is a challenge to both body and mind, requiring a blend of patience, determination, discipline and competitiveness.
Fencing develops dexterity, endurance, flexibility, grace, and overall fitness, while also allowing participants the opportunity to hone the mind’s problem -solving abilities. It is easily learning and, it has even melded to fit the needs of the blind and individuals using wheelchairs. This is a sport for everyone.
Fencing provides a unique mix of physical, intellectual and emotional stimulation. It is a great way to get or stay fit and meet new people.
Physical benefits
• a perfect form of cardiovascular exercise. It is a fast-paced activity that gets the heart pumping and oxygen flowing
• helps develop muscle strength, flexibility and coordination. The diverse array of positions and movements in fencing requires pin point precision and power.
• allows you to burn calories, lose weight and tone up
Mental benefits
Fencing is also a workout for the mind, requiring split second thinking to outwit your opponent.
• helps relieve stress and be a great way to let off steam and frustration
• helps develop powers of observation and understanding of strategy
• helps develop judgment and deduction skills so as to anticipate your opponent’s actions
• help develop problem-solving skills
Social benefits
Fencing is a very social activity that provides regular interaction with other like-minded individuals. Fencing can help boost your self-esteem and promote self-discipline, self-assurance, and responsibility.
Objective
The main object of a fencing bout (what an individual “game” is called) is to effectively score 15 points (in direct elimination play) or five points (in preliminary pool play) on your opponent before he scores that number on you. Each time a fencer scores a touch, he receives a point. Direct elimination matches consist of three three-minute period.
What is fencing – Explained by our young fencers
Fencing is my favourite sport, the only one I like to play. I love going to fencing because it is physical and metal, like an active game of chess. It is a unique sport, like a kind of dance. It is the only sport I am good at. I like the team feeling there is, even though it is not a team sport, something that does not exist in ballet. I am so glad I practice fencing and I come to lessons as much as I can. Fencing is my life!
Solenn Le Guyon - 14 y.o. Fencer
For me, fencing became quickly more than a sport but a passion. It’s my boost of energy for the week. It mixes mental discipline and sports skills and I love it! We also have a lot of respect for our opponents. You can also enjoy this sport as an individual as well as a team!
Prune Huguet - 14 y.o. FencerFencing is a great sport for everyone and helps to improve speed and coordination. It has been a big part of my life.
Yasmin Jawed - 15 y.o. FencerFencing, fencing fencing You like it when you are winning But it doesn’t matter Because you always climb the ladder Fencing is cool When you pass the pool.
Leith Bouacida - 13 y.o. FencerFencing is undoubtedly my favourite sport. It has allowed me to really expand my horizons. It is an incredibly fun yet incredibly challenging sport, both mentally and physically, and it is something that I would definitely like to continue with into adulthood and beyond, throughout my life.
Ryan Evans - 14 y.o. FencerFencing for me is fun, helps you with strategy and thinking. Fencing is a really nice Olympic game. I am really lucky to play this time of sport.
Filipe Daher - 10 y.o. FencerFencing for me is a sport where I can express myself, have fun, get fitter . To be with my friends and to feel powerful and confident when I fence. It makes me feel happy and proud about what I can do.
Emma Alves - 14 y.o. FencerFencing is my favourite thing to do because it makes me really happy. It requires me to use both mind and body and to develop new creative tactics as well as encouraging to get fit. It is the best sport in the world because it is original and everyone has their own personal style which makes every match interesting. Fencing thought me when to take risks, how to make quick decisions and how to control my emotions and focus. I am very passionate about the sport and hope to become a professional fencer soon. I especially love the classes since I learn so much and the people and coaches are so nice! I can’t imagine my life without fencing.
Yasmin Kanaan - 15 y.o. Fencer