A sport like fencing is not respectfully appreciated in today’s society, the art form lost in a timeline of combustion-powered weapons. The elegant nature of it seems only to ward off certain classes of society. It is depicted in pop culture as something played only by the snooty brand of the rich and famous and as one thing us common folk refuse to play because of its debonair qualities and sophistication.
These claims are proven to be false, due to two juniors who choose to participate in the sport: Ryan Whitener and David Stewart.
“[Fencing is] challenging, but it’s more fun than that. It takes a lot of strategic thinking and involves playing chess [combined with] physical activity.” Whitener said.
Ryan fences épée. This specific fighting style is slow-paced and even. The place where hits are directed towards the full or entire body. The style was used at the time of its creation to resolve conflicts, popularly known as duels. Hits are only valid when they are with the point of the sword, as that is in fact the only lethal part, though blunted for sport use.
“Fencing can be fun, but you also have to be very careful,” David Stewart said.
Stewart, unlike Whitener, fences saber. His fighting style consists of hits to the torso and head. The blade used in saber is derived from what we know and love as a pirate sword, though the lighter Italian version of it. The hits for this style are valid when they are with the point, the cutting edge and the portion closest to the tip of the blade.
“You have to be really resistant to minor pain”, Stewart said, “You are being stabbed with a metal object.”