Fencing in Nigeria

Fencing in Nigeria

A sport of speed and strategy

Fencing is a competitive combat sport between two fencers, fought one-on-one. It is performed in three different ways, each with its own weapon: the foil, the Épée and the Sabre.

Foil: is one of the metal weapons out of three used in fencing sport with the estimated total length of 110cm and 90cm long blade. The thrusting weapon is the most commonly used in fencing game.

Fencers that use foil weapon can score a hit by striking the point of the weapon on the targeted opponent. Foil has different governing rules and tactics regarding the attacks which the user can apply to hit or avoid the opponent. A foil fencer’s uniform has some basic characteristics features such as the Lame and a vest which is wired electrically to record the number of hits by the opponent.

Epee: is the heaviest, largest weapon among the three metal weapons used in fencing. It has the same length and blade measurement as the foil, but no right-of-way rule applies. An epee fencer targets the entire body of the opponent from head to toe including the equipment and clothing. This weapon allows a double hit by the users but the hit must occur at 1/25 seconds of each other.

Sabre: is one of the weapons used by modern fencers. It has the total length of 105cm with the blade measuring 88cm. Sabre movement and attacks are extremely fast such that the fencer can use the edge of the blade to attack the opposing partner(s) unlike the other two.

Like the foil, the sabre uses the convention of "right of way" to determine who acquires the touch; the fencer who starts the attack has the right of the way. To avoid being hit while using the sabre, the opposing sabre fencer attempts to dodge the attack and if successful, fight back. Then to avoid being parried, the attacker may use several tactics such as disengages or coupes to avoid the opponent’s blade.

Fencing is one of only five sports that have featured at every modern Olympic Games, together with swimming, athletics, gymnastics and cycling. The game is basically known to focus on the three weapons mentioned above to target opponents and then become a champion.

Fencing sports competition is involved with different rules such that the competitive fencers are meant to specialize on one weapon among the three which include foil, épée, and sabre. Fencing is a very nice sport that teaches many disciplines, focus and concentration.

Fencing has become a trending sport in Nigeria formally established in the recent years as an Olympic sport. It came with the assistance of International Fencing Federation and the Nigeria fencing federation as the grass root of the development.

Immediately after the introducing the game in the country, many indigenes that got inspirations in the sport began to participate actively. Training of Nigerian fencers commenced thereafter. The country trained qualified fencers who had represented in several tournaments like Cadet and Junior African Fencing Championship and All-African Games.

Benefits of fencing

Fencing is a combat sport that has been part of every modern Olympic Games since the first in 1896. It later came to Nigeria in the recent years. The sport has many benefits to physical and mental health. Some of the benefits of fencing include but not limited to the following:

• It produces flexibility and mobility in the hips due to the lunging motion used in attacks while performing the game. It helps also in cardiovascular response, aerobic and anaerobic fitness.
• On the other, a regular fencer develops good flexibility in the arms, hands and legs as well because it is a sport with a number of physical fitness.
• Fencing is a very good sport that helps to boost the mental and physical health and fitness of the human body. With respect to the mental aspect, it enhances concentration and mental strength. Improves focus, sharpens up strategic thinking and decision-making skills.