There are various forms of fencing and they differ from each other on the basis of the competition format. Also the fencing rules are interpreted in different ways for every single format.
Olympic fencing
Olympic fencing is a current form of fencing competitions. The fencing rules of such type of competition are laid down by FIE or the Federation Internationale d’Escrime. The weapons used in Olympic fencing consist of; sabre, epee and foil. To eliminate any error chances made by the referee the scoring is done by an electronic scoring apparatus. Other than the apparatus there are manual set of rules which are observed by a referee. During the competition the athletes or fencers are divided among different age groups. The age groups division is done like this; Y12, Y14, junior fencing and cadet.
Fencers are also rated in Olympic fencing championships. The ratings range from A to E where U rating means unrated which is typically given to the new fencers. Fencers are required to meet the rating criteria in order to participate in such competitions.
Paralympics fencing
Another form of fencing is the wheelchair fencing it is Paralympics sports which originated in England after World War II. Fencers who have physical disabilities can only participate in this type of competition. Some minor modifications are made to this form of fencing as the fencers are disabled and they sit in wheel chairs therefore their footwork is replaced by their arm movements. But the weapons used in Paralympics fencing are the same as used in the Olympics fencing.
Other forms of Fencing
There are numerous other types of fencing championships that are being conducted all across the world. The fencing rules are more or less similar to the FIE rules but the competition format may differ in each type of fencing. You will find that fencing is a very active sports in many universities and colleges but the format of the game may vary slightly. Some different forms of fencing includes; one-hit epee, American Fencing League, UK fencing league, World Fencing Championships, and many other types of fencing competitions are being held every year.
Different Forms of Fencing
Fencing Commonwealth Major Events
Fencing is included in the Commonwealth Games and is one of the major events for British Fencing. The Commonwealth Fencing Open Championships are held since 1950 in the same year as the Commonwealth Games, every four years. Commonwealth Fencing Junior Championships, for under 20 years old fencers, are held every three years since 2006, and Commonwealth Fencing Veteran Championships every two years.
Participants Countries of Past Commonwealth Fencing Open Championships
2010, Melbourne, Australia
Participant countries: Australia, Brunei, Canada, England, Guernsey, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa and Wales.
2006, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, Guernsey, India, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malaysia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Singapore and Wales.
2002, Newcastle, Australia
Participant countries: Australia, England, India, Isle of Man, Jersey, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Wales.
1998, Shah Alam, Malaysia
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, Jersey, Malaysia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, St. Vincent, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Wales.
1994, Whistler, Canada
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, St. Vincent, Scotland, Trinidad & Tobago, Wales.
1990, Manchester, England
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, Guyana, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Jersey, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Wales.
1986, Cardiff, Wales
Participant countries: Australia, Barbados, Canada, England, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Trinidad & Tobago, Wales.
1982, Barnstaple, England
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Trinidad & Tobago, Scotland, Wales.
1978, Glasgow, Scotland
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales.
1974, Ottawa, Canada
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales.
1970, Edinburgh, Scotland
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, Dominica, England, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales.
1966, Kingston, Jamaica
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, Jamaica, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales.
1962, Perth, Australia
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, Isle of Man, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales.
1958, Cardiff, Wales
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Rhodesia, Scotland, South Africa, Wales.
1954, Vancouver, Canada
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Wales.
1950, Auckland, New Zealand
Participant countries: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland.
Participants Countries of Past Commonwealth Fencing Junior Championships
2009, Penang, Malaysia
Participant countries: Australia, England, Guernsey, India, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malaysia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of South Africa, Scotland, Singapore and Wales.
2006, Chennai, India
Participant countries: Australia, England, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Singapore and Wales.
Olympic Fencing
Fencing is one of the few sports modalities that are part of the Olympic Games since its first ceremony.
Foil and Sabre were included in 1896 and Epée introduced in 1900 games for male competitors.
From 1924 to 1992 female Fencing were introduced to the Games, single Foil only. Female Epée was introduced in 1996; and in 2004 female Sabre was also part of the games.
Fencing in wheelchairs was introduced to the Paralympic Games in 1960.
British Olympic Fencing Medallists
Little is to be found about her but, in 1956, Gillian Sheen won the individual foil Olympic gold medal, Fencing for Britain. And she was the one and only so far, to bring gold back home. From the thirteen silver medals that British Fencers brought home from Olympic Games, last won in 1960, one individual and eight team medals were for Epée and four for individual talent in Foil.
Nedo Nadi – Olympic Fencing Medallist
Nadi is a legendary Italian name in the history of Olympic Fencing. He has won more gold medals in a single Olympic Championship than anyone else. Nedo Nadi won his first Olympic Fencing gold medal in 1912 when he was only 18 years old and took 5 Gold Medals home in 1920, at the age of 26. He is the only athlete to get a golden medal in every sword discipline in the same Olympic Fencing Championship. His deed is still unbeaten and his contribution to Fencing is unforgettable.
Nedo Nadi Medals Board
Foil Team
Antwerp 1920
Epée Team Men
Antwerp 1920
Foil Individual Men
Antwerp 1920
Sabre Individual Men
Antwerp 1920
Sabre Team Men
Antwerp 1920
Foil Individual Men
Stockholm 1912
History of Olympic Fencing
Fencing is known to be an official Olympics sports since 1896. The sword which is most commonly used since then is the foil it is the type of training tool that was used by men in the early 1700s. Fencing is considered an art form and the delicate balance and movement has been captured in the past by art masters. Some modern day art schools use fencing images as a way to get students to learn how to paint the human body in various poses.
During the 1900s Olympics fencing was introduced with two other events based on the use of two different types of fencing swords namely; sabre and epee. Since than three types of swords are used in Olympics competitions. Epee is almost similar to the foil sword but it is a bit greater in weight and has got a bit stiffer three sided blade. On the other hand the sabre sword is a very light weight weapon which is commonly used for thrusting and cutting.
The fencing rules that were laid in the beginning of Olympics sports are more or less the same. It was during the year 1924 when the Olympics organisers launched fencing events for women as well. the first event held in this regards was the foil fencing event. And after approximately 70 years that is in 1996 women;s epee fencing event was launched. It was not before 2004 when women’s sabre fencing event was introduced by the Olympics organisers.
The type of competitions held at the Olympics consist of both men and women events separately. Other than that group and individual fencing championships are also held on a separate basis. Every fencer is required to wear a particular type of protective clothing in order to participate in the Olympics fencing. The protective clothing includes; gloves, jacket, mask, chest protector, pants, special fencing shoes and under arm protectors.
The common Olympics fencing participating countries are; France, Italy, Germany, China, Hong Kong and many others. Other than the Olympics fencing there are many otgher fencing championship events that are conducted all over the world and well known fencers participate in such competitions.
Lastly, it can be said that fencing is regarded as one of the most thrilling Olympics sports. It is one of the most oldest sports that was launched in the first every Olympic games in the year 1896.