The Sport of Fencing
Fencing has evolved over many centuries from a method of warfare to a civilized sport. The sport was introduced into modern day Olympics in 1896 and has been going strong ever since.
Fencing is an exciting and energetic sport that challenges both your physical and mental capabilities. It is also a great workout; developing stamina, strength and co-ordination.
The sport is divided into three weapon classes:
- Foil: The foil is the lightest of the three weapons. Fencers score only with the tip of the weapon and the target area limited to the torso.
- Epee: The epee is fashioned after the dueling sword. Like the foil, only the tip can be used to score, but the target area is the whole body. The blade is thicker and the hand-guard is larger to protect the hand.
- Sabre: In sabre, the target area is the whole upper body and both the tip and edge of the blade can be used to score. The sabre is derived from the cavalry sword.
