[CFML] Re: future of SF looks more like CF

"Bob Lyle" <blyle@s...> wrote:

> Then judo, vastrious forms of karate, tae kwan do and gung fu are
> also not martial arts because they too have a style element. You
> have a limited definition of "martial arts" which I do not ascribe
> to.
>
Jeff's point is not that these are not "martial arts", rather than
the "extreme" definition being applied to Sport Fencing (i.e.,
the "touch without being touched" or "as if they were sharp"
approach) can be taken in the opposite direction. That is, if one
says that a "martial art" must be practical in application and relate
strictly to combat techniques, then those "martial arts" which focus
purely on technique and style would, likewise, not be "martial arts".

Since, clearly, there is disagreement with the application in this
case -- why is it okay to apply the definition in the opposite
direction? Would you say that Bruce Lee, who advocated a very
pragmatic approach to the martial arts and focused on the final
outcome of the punch, did not practice martial arts because he did
not advocate style or formality? How different is this "focus on the
outcome" from the idea of "score touches"?

This is the crux of my problem -- the definition of "martial art"
seems to fit personal opinion more than anything else. Classical
Fencing is a "martial art", Sport Fencing isn't. But why isn't it?


> I do withdraw my "decline" comment, although I note that this
> thread started with a discussion of the (apparently) imminent
> demise of Olympic fencing..
>
It is true that fencing in the Olympics has been on the
proverbial "chopping block" for a while. The IOC is not fond of
sports which do not attract viewers, and therefore advertisers. And,
foolishly in some cases I believe, the FIE focuses on making fencing
more friendly to viewers. But this does not mean that Sport Fencing,
itself, is in decline. Merely its presence in the Olympics. Which,
personally, I wouldn't have a problem with.


-Brian


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