Fencing is a martial art in that it is fighting with swords. Fencing is the Western martial art, the European martial art.  Where in Europe did fencing originate? 

Well perhaps Inigo Montoya from “The Princess Bride” would say the answer is Spain because the first treatise on what is recognized as modern fencing was by a Spanish master. 

But a second person might say Italy because the lunge was popularized by an Italian master.  And yet a third person might say France because the modern fencing mask was invented by a French master, and also the language of fencing is French: en garde, touché, riposte, and so on. Where in Europe did fencing originate? It seems like the answer is “no one place.”

But it is also a sport in that it is done for fun and exercise and there is one standard that everyone worldwide follows. The rules Salle Honolulu follows are the same ones (with a few slight variations) that are used all over the world, and if you are talented and ambitious you may someday win the national championships, the world championships, or even the Olympics.

Fencing, being out of the ordinary, stands out on a college application or resumé, setting the applicant apart.

And speaking of college, there are fencing scholarships available. While fencing is not a professional sport in America, it is a college sport in some colleges.

Fencing de-emphasizes strength and emphasizes speed, technique, and tactics. By “de-emphasize strength” we mean that if you stab or cut your opponent hard, it’s one point; and if you stab or cut your opponent lightly, it’s one point. So from the viewpoint of both sportsmanship and efficiency, it’s better to stab or cut lightly. In fact, in fencing we often use the word “touch” (touché) instead of “hit” to highlight the fact that the ideal is a light blow.

Fencing is a seeming contradiction: a non-contact combat sport. By non-contact, we mean that while it’s true that your sword is contacting your opponent’s body, your body is not. Also, your sword is light and flexible and thus stabbing or cutting him with it is safer and less painful than body to body contact. Every other combat sport can be concussive, your body colliding with your opponent’s body. But because fencing is not concussive, there are no weight categories.

There is no substitute for size, strength, and speed. But because it de-emphasizes strength, and because it is a non-contact sport, fencing is a wonderful sport for families to enjoy together. The parents don’t always win against their children; and the husbands don’t always win against the wives.

For these reasons, fencing is nothing less than the king of sports.