Paralympic Fencing

In 1780, Dr. Tissot (France) developed a technique that he described in a book called “Medical Surgical Gymnastics in a Hygienic Aspect. Weapon exercises. " And in 1895, the Frenchman Celestine Leconte developed a theory according to which fencing classes have a great healing effect. He described fifteen diseases cured by this sport.

The modern history of Paralympic fencing begins in the 50s of the last century, when the idea of ​​this sport discipline was proposed by Sir Ludwig Gatmann. In those years, the first official competitions in this sport took place.

In 1960, fencing was included in the program of the first Paralympic Games in Rome. Since then, European and World Championships have been regularly held among Paralympics, and World Cups are being played. And if in 1960 in Rome, Paralympic fencers competed in three forms: in personal and team saber competitions among men and in personal foil competitions among women, then in 2004, at the Paralympic Games in Athens, they played in total 15 sets of awards in categories “A” and “B” (representatives of category “C” do not participate in the Games). Both men and women play the individual and team championships on foil and epee, saber competitions are held only among men. Team competitions are open in nature - both representatives of category "A" and athletes belonging to category "B" can participate in them.

With the development of appropriate technology, the rules of the competition changed. Unlike classical fencing, here the battle is fought in a static position on a 4-meter track, while the strollers are fixed in place using special metal structures. According to the rules, one of the participants in the battle, who has shorter hands, chooses the distance at which the fight will go. During the fight, the fencer must hold his chair with his free hand. The rules are also not allowed to lift in a chair or tear off the legs from the footboard.

Paralympic fencing in Russia began to develop in 2005. In February, at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Fencing Federation of Russia (FFR), the FFR Commission on Paralympic Fencing was created, headed by Elena Belkina. A year and a half later, in August 2006, the First Russian Paralympic Fencing Championship was held, in which athletes with a violation of the musculoskeletal system participated.

In Russia, the Paralympic fencing appeared thanks to the material support “For the future of fencing” . And we must pay tribute to the enthusiasm and organizational skills of Elena Belkina, who led this movement, starting to teach wheelchair fencing at the Moscow State Social and Humanitarian Institute. And, of course, to fencers who volunteer to help her in this difficult and noble business. In September 2005, the first two groups of future Paralympics were recruited in Moscow and Ufa, and in December the first Russian Cup was held. In March 2006, at the international Moscow Saber, Paralympics demonstrated their first demonstration fights. Our young Paralympic fencing is gaining strength: it has already appeared in many cities of Russia. In April 2006, the 2nd Open Cup of Russia for the prizes of the international charity fund “For the future of fencing” was held. It was attended by 30 athletes from Ukraine, from Belarus and 10 cities of Russia. A referee seminar was held at this tournament, followed by an exam for coach judges. The seminar was prepared and conducted by Joseph Nagy from Hungary, the head of the panel of judges from the World Paralympic Fencing Committee.

Athletes fencing on electrical equipment, sitting in fixed carriages, at arm's length with arms (rapier, saber, sword). All other refereeing rules do not differ from ordinary fencing . For rapiers and saber fencers, the affected surface is the same as in "ordinary" fencing, for fencers - the whole body is above the waist. Hits are recorded using an electro-fixer. An injection into the affected surface brings a point. Men fencing on swords, sabers and rapiers, women on swords and rapiers. Refereeing in the Paralympic fencing is held according to the rules of the FIE .

Belonging to a particular category is determined by the nature of the disease and the degree of mobility of the athlete associated with it:

• category “A” includes athletes with amputation of the lower extremities and cerebral palsy ( cerebral palsy );
• to category “B” - athletes with injuries of the thoracic spine;
• to category “C” - fencers with injuries of the cervical spine.

Before the competition, Paralympics must undergo a medical examination.