En garde!

The sabre, the epee and the foil are the weapons with which the two opponents of this combat sport face. According to the Fédération Française d’Escrime, it’s an activity that can be initiated from an early age to acquire the first techniques of approach, opposition and competition.

It was in Greece that the art of fencing emerged, with the creation of the figure of the Hoplomachus, ancestor of fencing masters.Rome provided the first concepts of organization as a school for the training of soldiers and gladiators.

Spain is considered to be the country that gave its origin, as the first treaties were found there.

The Royal Spanish Fencing Federation defines it as a sport of evasion that sharpens the reflexes

and sharpens the intelligence. On November 29, 1913, the Fédération Internationale d’Escrime

was created and recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

Fencing as an Olympic Sport The Athens Olympic Games of 1896 included foil and sabre fencing competitions. On the initiative of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the epee was introduced at the next Olympic Games in Paris 1900.

In 1924, Hungary dominated the medal table of this competition and did so for almost half a century. In the same year, women were allowed to participate in the Olympics with the foil, but it wasn’t until the end of the 20th century that they were allowed to use the epee and sabre.

In Munich 1972, the categories were divided, and medals were awarded for each weapon.

As it’s perceived, fencing has ceased to be a duel combat to become a sports discipline, where resistance and explosiveness are mixed; it improves coordination, concentration, speed, precision and dexterity. An Olympic sport that highlights values: respect for athletes, sportsmanship, discipline, courtesy and loyalty. Touché!