2 months ago
18
Fencing has been a part of the Olympics since 1896. Women’s fencing was introduced in 1924 in Paris. read more
 "Fencing - history, rules, defending champions")
India will have no representation in fencing at the Paris Olympics after Taniksha Khatri lost in the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier. Image: X/FIE Fencing
The roots of fencing can be traced back to ancient swordplay, with evidence such as carvings depicting fencers from around 1190 BCE found in a temple near Luxor, Egypt.
Influenced by Italian, German, and French fencing masters, fencing evolved from a military training practice to a popular sport in the 14th or 15th century.
Today, fencing is a globally practiced sport, with intense competition across Europe, Asia, Oceania, the Americas, and Africa, as seen through the 157 national federation members of the International Fencing Federation.
What are the rules of fencing?
Fencing involves two competitors wielding weapons, aiming to strike valid target areas on each other’s bodies.
The rules vary based on the weapon type used, with foil, épée, and sabre being the main types used in the 12 events of Olympic fencing.
Each weapon has specific rules for scoring hits, with the first fencer to reach 15 points or accumulate the most points in three three-minute rounds winning the match.
Team fencing requires the first team to score 45 points or lead by the end of the match time.
Fencing is never far away from controversy, especially in fast-moving saber fights, where points can be won in a fraction of a second and much is left up to a referee’s judgement.
USA Fencing opened an investigation in March into “potential bout manipulation” in saber fights after complaints that supposedly biased refereeing could have affected qualification for the Olympics.
It said in April that two referees were suspended, but there was “no evidence that individual US fencers were actively involved in manipulating their own bouts as athletes."
What is fencing’s history at Olympics?
Fencing has a rich Olympic history, being a part of the Games since the 1896 Athens Olympics. Women’s fencing was introduced in 1924 in Paris, with individual and team events now open to both men and women.
Notable figures like Italy’s Nedo Nadi have made significant contributions to the sport, with Nadi achieving the remarkable feat of winning medals in every weapon category at a single Games, including a historic five gold medals in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics.
Who are the reigning Olympic champions?
Men’s foil: Cheung Ka Long, Hong Kong.
Men’s team foil: France.
Men’s epee: Romain Cannone, France.
Men’s team epee: Japan.
Men’s saber: Aron Szilagyi, Hungary.
Men’s team saber: South Korea.
Women’s foil: Lee Kiefer, United States.
Women’s team foil: ROC.
Women’s epee: Sun Yiwen, China.
Women’s team epee: Estonia.
Women’s saber: Sofia Pozdniakova, ROC.
Women’s team saber: ROC.
When and where will fencing take place at Paris Olympics?
Fencing runs from July 27-Aug. 4 with at least one final every day. It will be held at the Grand Palais.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
English (US) ·