Wheelchair Fencing: 12 Facts for London 2012
30.07.2012
Here’s a list of 12 interesting things you should know about Wheelchair Fencing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
1. Who, what, when?
Wheelchair Fencing will feature 100 athletes across 12 medal events from 4-8 September. Each country is limited to six male and four female athletes, with a maximum of two athletes per event.
2. Where?
The Wheelchair Fencing competition will take place at ExCeL, which is the largest competition venue at the London 2012 Games. It is made up of five different arenas, and after the Games it will revert to its role as one of Europe’s largest versatile exhibition spaces.
3. History
The sport was developed by Sir Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games, following World War II. It has been part of the Paralympic programme since the Rome 1960 Games.
4. Classification
To be eligible to compete in Wheelchair Fencing, athletes must have an impairment that affects at least one leg or foot, and they are classified according to their level of functional ability. Category A is for athletes who have good trunk control and their fencing arm is not affected by their impairment. Catgeory B is for athletes who have an impairment that affects either their trunk or fencing arm.
5. Field of play
The competition takes place on a piste that measures 4m x 1.5m and athletes are fixed into wheelchairs that are fastened into the floor. The distance between the two fencers is determined by the athlete with the shorter arm reach.
6. Weapons
Foil:This is light weapon derived from the court sword, and in this discipline the target area is limited to the opponent’s torso.
Sabre: This is derived from a cavalry sword, and fencers score hits whenever they touch the edge of the weapon anywhere above their opponent’s waist.
Epee:This is the heaviest weapon used and is a true duelling sword. The entire body is the target, and opposing fencers can score hits simultaneously.
7. First to 15
The object of the game is to be the first athlete to score 15 points.
8. Beijing 2008
At the Beijing 2008 Games, host nation China won 13 medals, including six golds, in Wheelchair Fencing. Hong Kong finished second with seven medals, including three golds.
9. French dominance
France’s Christian Lachaud and Andre Hennaert lead the all-time Wheelchair Fencing medal charts with nine golds apiece. In fact, eight of the top 10 all-time medallists in the sport hail from France.
10. Ones to watch at London 2012
Yui Chong Chan (Hong Kong): Chan won gold in the foil and epee at Beijing 2008, and London 2012 will mark her third Paralympics Games at the age of 29.
Pal Szekeres (Hungary): The 48-year-old Hungarian veteran has competed in the Paralympics since the Barcelona 1992 Games, having won a gold and three bronze medals on the world stage. These could be his last Paralympics, and he will not go out without a fight.
11. Wheelchair frames
For fencing wheelchair frames are designed so that athletes can compete against each other whether they are right or left-handed.
12. Staying steady
Athletes’ wheelchairs are fixed in place to the ground by metal frames and the chair is clamped to both sides of the frame to keep it from tipping. An athlete’s foot must not leave the chair’s foot rest or use the floor for advantage.