Fencing is an Olympic sport which is derived from the ancient art of swordsmanship. It is a popular sport all around the globe. Fencing is often regarded as a martial art of the west. Fencing is one of the few disciplines that had been a part of every Olympics since the modern era began in 1896.
Modern competitive fencing uses three different weapons, saber, epee, and foil. Traditional sabers were long and heavy. Gradually, it was made lighter and more convenient to use. Saber was a popular weapon for dueling in the olden days. It was developed from a weapon which was the national weapon of Hungary. Saber and Foil competitions were a part of the inaugural modern Olympic Games. Epee was added in the next edition of the Games. It is a widely popular sport in countries like Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Italy, USA; the Netherlands etc. The rules of the game have gone a sea change from the ancient duels. It has been the endeavor of the administrators of the game to make modern fencing as safe as possible. Electronic scoring system is used to count the scores. It is used along with the human judges.
Fencing competitions are held for both individual and team events. A fencing team consists of three fencers. It is played by men as well as women. This sport has always been dominated by European countries such as France, Hungary, Italy, and erstwhile Soviet countries. Previously, many different styles were in existence from different countries. But in modern fencing, styles are eliminated with the formulation of uniform rules applicable to all the affiliated federations. Competitive fencing is a lot different from traditional swordplay. Traditional sword fighting too is an ancient martial discipline used extensively during the wars. Many fighters perfected the art of sword fighting and developed it as a martial art form.
Modern day fencing is quite different from the ancient art of sword fighting. The weapons used in fencing have developed into totally different ones. Even though fencing originated from sword fighting, the modern weapons not at all resemble the old sword. It had reduced in length and size. Fencing as an Olympic sport is a safe one with the use of adequate safety gear. The clothing worn by fencers is made from tough nylon or cotton with the use of substances like Kevlar and Dyneema for added protection. The fencing outfit consists of Knickers or Breeches, Plastron or under arm protector, Jacket, Chest protector (for women), gloves, and the mask. Fencers also use specially designed shoes. Deft footwork and fast movements are essential for a successful fencer. Olympic fencing is a highly demanding sport which requires tremendous amount of speed and balance.
