Having been an organizer at the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, I understand what it feels like to have the whole world focused on the city I have lived in all my life. It makes a person feel really proud. It's kind of like having a big party and inviting the whole world. A good mascot adds to the energy and enthusiasm for the Games, especially among volunteers and organizers. A bad mascot detracts from this energy and enthusiasm.
Some idea of what it was like to be a fencer in Victorian England can be gleaned from the records of the oldest club in the country, London Thames Fencing Club, which was founded as the London Fencing Club in 1848. Paying an annual subscription of £5 (equivalent to about £480 today)...
Six weeks of summer holidays without fencing? That does nothing for true fencing lovers, who will start to miss their fencing life after a couple of weeks. So Leon Paul's training camp in London in early August was the perfect match (and best mix of city trip, fencing fun, and language holiday) for Leon Paul sponsored Valentin Meka, a U14 sabre fencer from Dormagen, Germany. Want to know what happened when he decided to give up on his sunbed at the beach for a fencing piste? Read on...
Prior to the 1989 Senior World Championships being held in Chicago, all firms pitching to supply the apparatus for this event were invited to a National circuit competition in Chicago to trial their F.I.E. approved sabre apparatus.
Every fencer has it: a personal collection of special moments. A day you'll remember. A match ended with a close win. A competition that leaves not just medals, but memories.
For Leon Paul sponsored fencer Bas Verwijlen the 2018 edition of Challenge SNCF Réseau in Paris, one of the most important events of the worldcup series in Men's epee, does definitely belong to that category of unforgettable experiences. Read on for his full report about his day and how he made it to the podium.
In 1545, the year the Mary Rose sank so spectacularly in Portsmouth harbour, a book on archery was published complaining about the neglect of that sport in favour of fencing, which had masters to teach it in every town. The popularity of fencing in Tudor times was largely due to Henry VIII who encouraged displays of swordplay and who had, in 1540, given the London Masters of Defence a monopoly of teaching arms. Fencing became the passion of high and low. A "prize" fight, or public examination of candidates by the Masters, halted business in the City of London for the day.
This is a short video to show you how to cut and thread the tang of a fencing blade. Whether it's foil, epee or sabre the process is the same.
The 2018 season started with the IWAS World cup in Eger, Hungary running from 15th-19th February and although this event was a familiar season opener, there was to be a trial of new rules throughout this event and also at the next World cup in Pisa and It is safe to say that even though the proposed new sabre distance proved unpopular with many, it certainly encouraged some interesting conversations!
The FIE recently has released new requirements for chest protectors both in men’s and women’s foil. For full information about the underlying problems (including a bit of foil history) as well as some instructions on what to do now and where to purchase, please read on...
Ziemowit Wojciechowski is a GB Olympic Coach, Head coach of ZFW fencing club and the coach of world number 3 Richard Kruse. Recently he has taken his club into the future by switching to wireless fencing, here is what he has to say:
Four months ago I purchased 4 wireless machines from Leon Paul for my fencing club, ZFW, and I haven’t looked back.
Hungary
Ukraine
