Hello everybody,
Fencing is not such a popular sport between children, but can be one of the most exciting game for kids once we offer them the chance to try it! You're wearing a mask that covers your whole
face and dressed in padded clothing. You dance back and forth gracefully while holding
a flexible metal rod in one hand. Fencing is the sport of swordplay. It began
thousands of years ago as a way of training soldiers to fight with swords and
eventually became a competitive team sport that anyone can participate in.
Fencing requires strength, speed, balance, and a very sharp
mind. A good strategy is perhaps the most important part of the sport, but fair
play and sportsmanship are also necessary.
One of the best persons to speak about fencing in Cyprus
is Mr. Iraklis Emmanouilidis. He is the coach in Limassol Fencing Club but also
the Technical Director of Cyprus Fencing Federation and "the First Musketeers"!
Izzy: Fencing is a sport with a long history. Could
you tell us something about the rules of the game and the costumes?
I.E: Fencing is an elegant sport. Your goal is to touch your opponent
without being touched. Footwork, distance control, blade movements, patience
and of course strategy, are the main fundamentals of fencing in order to “fool”
the other fencer or defend against his moves and score a hit. There are three
weapons in fencing, foil, epee and sabre, with the same basic footwork but
different speeds, tactics and valid targets. Regarding the uniform, as you have
noticed, it’s all white. It covers everything except the hand which is not
holding the sword. Its colour remained unchanged from the years before, because
then, there were no electric signalling units to show the hits, but referees in
each side, observing the touches of the point by the mean of black mark on the white
uniforms.
Izzy: We know about the Alexander Dumas book “The
three musketeers” or we have seen the movies Zorro or the newest Pirates of the
Caribbean ; is this a sport for boys and girls
too? What age is the appropriate age to start learning fencing?
I.E: Fencing is for all ages. We have children from
6-7 yrs up to 60s. Fencing is all about fun, playing, excitement. Of course
from the age of 10 you can participate in competitions. Then discipline,
confidence and many hours of training playing their role.
Izzy: What are the advantages of fencing for kids in
terms of development and social interaction?
I.E.: Kids learn to work as a group but also after
they learn the basics, they take also individual lessons. They learn to respect
their teammates and the opponent, thing correct and make fast decisions, be
confident by winning, but also understanding and handling a defeat. Fencing has
no injuries and is one of the safest sports, reflecting the way being played
and the technique being used by athletes.
Izzy: Is it fencing fun for kids? They are enjoying
coming to the lessons? Is it a sport that requires spending lots of energy?
I.E: The training program is different for different
ages. It starts with the developing of skills necessary for fencing through fun
games using basic gymnastic exercises and plastic fencing equipment. Kids love
fencing. Its one of their dreams comes true. They imagine the movies, playing
musketeers, Zorro, Star Wars etc. We let them enjoy that, but then we also do
real training… After they learn the sport of fencing and start competing, they
never stop, never quit. At least my athletes haven’t…
Izzy: What are the best results of Cyprus Fencing up
to present?
I.E: We manage to participate to high level
competitions, such as World Cups, World Championships etc but the level is
unreachable. Its almost professional and its difficult for Cyprus , with
not so many people know what is fencing and small number of athletes to get
there. But we had good achievements in International competitions 5th-6th
places, sometimes medals. In Greece
we reach the final 4 continually.
Izzy: How fencing can change children’s life? Are
there many competitions for kids?
I.E.: Cyprus
Fencing Federation supports the development of fencing through the club’s
academies and organizes at least 6 National competitions. Fencing is a unique
sport. You train your body and your mind. For kids, it’s probably in parents
hands, to make the first step. Parents should know what fencing has to offer
and trust their children to. As I said, fencing is a way of life, teaches you a
lot.
Izzy: And for the end do you have any interesting
story would you like to share with us?
I.E: Well, in Limassol Fencing Club, except training
we also develop friendship... and when there are competitions in Cyprus
or abroad we go all together and having a lot of fun as a team. The memories
are unforgettable… one of them was when we went to Thessaloniki , Greece
Limassol
Contact person: Sotiris Sotiras
Workout program: Mon-Wed-Thu-Sat
Lessons fees: 30-35euro/month
Address: Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center ,
Polemidia, Limassol
Contact person: Ritsa Pitta
Workout program: Mon-Wed-Thu-Sat
Lessons fees: 40-45/month
Address: “Evangelos Florakis” Sports Hall
Makarios Sport Centre Av., Engomi, 2400 Nicosia , Cyprus
Phone: +357 99 216 012
Lots of sunny days from Izzy the Cypriot Lizard!
Fencing provides physical and cognitive benefits.
It takes strategy and quick reflexes. Your
Opponent can make an attack in any number of ways
your defense needs to come in a split second, and
in the next split second, you've got to make your attack.
Fencers learn good
sportsmanship, self-discipline,
gain quick reflexes
and how to compete independently.
They gain a sense of
accomplishment when winning
and learn to profit from their defeats. They learn to make
complex decisions, analyze
problems, and think fast on
their feet. These ideals help children reach their
potential in many areas other than fencing.