The future of fencing

[Carlos37]

Do you see fencing increasing or decreasing in importance?Do you think it will not exist in the future?

[jaroslav]

Fencing was one of the events in the original olympics of ancient Greece. I think it'll be around for a while longer.

[Sinestra]

Fencing was one of the events in the original olympics of ancient Greece. I think it'll be around for a while longer.

Don't really want to nitpick...but while fencing was one of the original events when the modern Olympics started up in 1896, it definitely wasn't in the ancient Grecian games. (Think of how that would have revolutionized Greek warfare! 300 Spartans fleching at the Persian army...wrap your head around that )

As far as the OP goes...I don't see how it'd become less important. If anything, I think that the success of certain American fencing Olympians might bring more attention to the sport, which would probably be nothing if not a good thing.
Then again, I think that being only a little more than 100 years out of the first Olympic games and the advent of serious sport fencing (from what I can tell) I think that it's still a bit early to make any sort of prediction about the longevity of the sport...

[HDG]

Was fencing ever important to anyone other than fencers?

[jaroslav]

1. Fencing is one of only four sports to be included in every modern Olympic Games, since the first in 1896. Fencing was also a sport in the original Olympic Games in ancient Greece.

From usfencing.org.

[piste off]

Fencing was one of the events in the original olympics of ancient Greece. I think it'll be around for a while longer.

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Rick

[erik_blank]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Rick

Ahh.. the sad state of american education these days.. Everyone knows that it was the Latvians that Bombed Peral Harbor! I find this the most impressive since they had to do this with only one working cell phone between them.

[swatchpost]

I do believe that fencing will continue to be around for quite a while. It takes a firm foothold in all people interested and involved. However, I lament the fact (and this happens much in the same way people watch hockey) that to the average person one cannot follow the fencing phrase. Slow motion replays help with this dilemma, however normal spectators that do not understand simple attacks, compound attacks, preparations, and intents have a MUCH more difficult time enjoying what they're watching. Most people are interested in fencing—everyone wants to see a "sword fight," the inevitable disappointment comes when they realize that they have to work and be "eye trained" to follow what's happening.

Just my .02

[HDG]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Rick

RIP Senator Blutarsky

[Sinestra]

1. Fencing is one of only four sports to be included in every modern Olympic Games, since the first in 1896. Fencing was also a sport in the original Olympic Games in ancient Greece.

From usfencing.org.

The USFA site is the only document I've ever seen of any kind that claims this (and the only document that people cite when they try and make this claim, incidentally.) I've done research on this before and the only sports I could find listed as being in the ancient Olympics are wrestling, boxing, chariot racing, various footraces, a certain type of full-contact fighting, and the pentathlon. Which, although the modern one was still designed with the same spirit in mind as the original, was a very different event than the one today.

But I am interested, if anyone else has sources that can confirm fencing--or hell, any kind of armed combat--as being in the original ancient games, I'd be very interested in seeing them.

</threadjack>

[piste off]

But I am interested, if anyone else has sources that can confirm fencing--or hell, any kind of armed combat--as being in the original ancient games, I'd be very interested in seeing them.
</threadjack>

Impossible! They did not have Lexan back then.

Rick

[piste off]

But I am interested, if anyone else has sources that can confirm fencing--or hell, any kind of armed combat--as being in the original ancient games, I'd be very interested in seeing them.

I've never seen reference that it was included in any form, but I've seen claims that fencing is "one of the oldest sports" as there was a form of "stick fencing" practiced in ancient Egypt.

Rick

[Chuck F.]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Ahh.. the sad state of american education these days...

Forget it, he's rolling.

[Guymelef]

I think the best documented example of fencing being an Olympic sport is the tournament in The Aeneid. Other visual clues come from Etruscan tombs in modern Tuscany depicting gladiatorial contests. These are dated at least contemporaneously with the Hellenic games. There was direct cultural link between Greece and Etruria, much of the marble came from the Tuscan hills. Which way the fencing flowed is difficult to determine.

Other discoveries include the renaissance of Pankratian (sp?) a Greek martial art that dates back to at least the Peloponnesian War. Being a martial artist myself I know that many empty hand techniques translate directly to weapon techniques. One is used to train and reinforce the other.

As far as our future is concerned, I say that it is very bright indeed. I see a lot of squishies at my club who fence with a great deal of joy; I think we will keep many of them for years to come. We have gained many excellent coaches from former Soviet states, who bring unique experience and discipline. Our high level fencers continue to maintain a presence on the world stage. Finally, Hollywood gives us a boost every so often with a swashbuckling movie. Now, all we need is another decent movie with a sober depiction of sport fencing in it; the last one was Sunshine.

[Goldgar]

I see a lot of squishies at my club who fence with a great deal of joy

Squishies?

[piste off]

Everyone knows that it was the Latvians that Bombed Peral Harbor!

Excuse me, the U.S. bombed ourselves. It was an excuse to go after Japan, destroy them, rebuild them and then enjoy great electronics, cars and sushi.

I would write more about it, but I have to go pick up my tickets to the Bill Mahr show.

Rick

[VorpalCat]

Impossible! They did not have Lexan back then.

Yes huh! The country was just known as Plexia at the time. Only after it was conquered by the fierce warriors of Lexus was it renamed Lexan. Geeze, don't they teach anybody history these days????