Thrilling battles between swordsmen do not always happen in swashbuckling pirate movies! The sport of fencing provides all of the thrills of sword fighting-without the outcome being a matter of life or death. Historical evidence reveals that sword battles have existed since ancient times. By the 1300s, the everyday life of European gentlemen had begun to include swordplay. Within time, secret fencing moves became standards in the sport. By the 1600s, several principles and rules existed for fencing competitions.
Fencing became an Olympic sport in 1896, when the international competition added an event for the foil. The foil is the most common weapon used in fencing competitions and beginner's fencing classes as well. This sword has the appearance of a training tool that gentlemen used in the 1700s, to train for the small-sword. The torso is the "favored target" of the foil, as the victors in duels of that period were the gentlemen who remained alive.
Then in the 1900s, Olympic officials added two new fencing events based on two different swords: the epee and the saber. The epee weapon is somewhat similar to a foil. However, the difference includes:
greater weight
larger bell guard
stiffer blade
blade with three sides
Furthermore, in epee competitions the entire region of the body serves as a legitimate target area.
Meanwhile, the saber is a lightweight weapon used for cutting and thrusting. Its valid target areas include nearly all areas above the waist, except for the back of the opponent's hands and the back of the head). As with foil competitions, the "right-of-way" method determines who earns touches. However, one major rule that distinguishes saber fencing from foil and epee competitions is that one can use the edge of the blade (rather than merely its point) to earn valid touches.
Since appearing at the 1896 Olympics, fencing has become one of a limited number of sports, in which athletes have competed in each of the modern Olympics. In 1924, the Olympics launched women's foil fencing as an event. Then in 1996, womens epee events appeared at the Olympics. Most recently, women's saber fencing events became part of the Olympics, in 2004. In addition to individual events, both men and women also compete in team events.
In addition to the swords themselves, fencing gear includes a variety of protective clothing, such as:
chest protector (females)
glove
jacket
mask
pants
shoes
socks (high)
under-arm protector
The 2008 Olympics in Beijing included geared-up athletes who competed in 10 fencing events (five for men and five for women). Regarding gold metals earned, no country was dominant. The top performing countries were France, Italy, and Germany-which each won two gold medals.
Since 1896, fencing has been thrilling Olympics spectators at each of the modern games. Olympic officials have added new events and rules throughout the years. However, fencing has remained one of the most exciting competitive sports on Earth, with the victor fortunately winning via points rather than a kill!
C Harkins runs Fencing.Net - with resources on fencing equipment reviews and also has a store selling fencing gear at http://shop.fencing.net. The online store offers a wide range of fencing blades, uniforms and other gear for beginning to advanced competitors.