What is Fencing?
Gladiators Fencing Club teaches Olympic fencing. A modern Olympic Games sport since 1896, fencing is one of 5 sports to have been included in every summer games. The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has 145 member nation- a truly global sport.
Fencing is scored electronically, and is the only Olympic combative sport where there are no weight categories. Events divided are by gender and discipline. The current International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Thomas Bach, is an Olympic Champion, winning gold in fencing in the 1976 Montreal Games. |
At the London 2012 Games, fencers from almost every continent won medals; winners came from traditional fencing powers of Europe and regular contenders Asia & North America; from new regional fencing nations, Venezuela's Reuben Limardo's gold medal (men's epee) and Africa's first ever fencing medal won by Egyptian Alaaeldin Abouelkassem demonstrate the sport's global reach. In Rio 2016, medalists from Tunisia added to the number of first time winners representing regions where fencing is gaining in popularity.
Artistic fencing teach anachronistic fencing in historical societies. Stage fencing and theatrical / movie fencing is about the spectacle and imagination; modern sport fencing is spectacular; creative, challenging, and is a sport for all.
Artistic fencing teach anachronistic fencing in historical societies. Stage fencing and theatrical / movie fencing is about the spectacle and imagination; modern sport fencing is spectacular; creative, challenging, and is a sport for all.
A short video explaining fencing |
FoilFoil fencing
Foil fencers must touch with the point of their foil on the torso. Touches landing on the mask, arms or legs are counted as "not valid" and do not score a point. A defending fencer must avoid an attack by evasion or a parry, prior to attacking. When both fencers hit, only the touch of the fencer who attacks first counts. Club programs for foil are for ages 6 and up.. |
EpeeEpee fencing
Epee fencers must touch with the point of their epee on any part of the body. The rules are straight forward: hit first. If two fencers hit at the same time, both get a point. Club programs for epee specialize in engaging teens 13+ and adults. |
SabreSabre fencing
Sabre fencers must touch with the point or edge of their sabre anywhere about the waist, including arms, mask and the torso. Hits landing legs do not score. Like in foil, a defending fencer must avoid an attack by evasion or a parry, prior to attacking. When both fencers hit, only the touch of the fencer who attacks first counts. Club programs for sabre run for ages 6 and up. No beginner adult classes are offered. |
What to look for in a sabre bout
Calgary's only club offering sabre.
Fencing in Slow motion from the International Fencing Federation's Grand Prix series