WHEELCHAIR FENCING

Wheelchair Fencing - Qualification Slots for Beijing Paralympics 2008

Documents for download
IWF Intro
I WF Material Rules updated 1/8/08
IWF Technical Rules
IWF Organisation Rules
IWF Classification Rules (Draft)

Project outcome 2007 - Classicisation training here
3rd Wheelchair Fencing Training Camp for Cadets: 17 - 25 June 2008, Rome Italy Info (English) (French)

History of Fencing
Wheelchair fencing was introduced into the International Stoke Mandeville Games in 1954, when a demonstration was given by a paraplegic from the Spinal Unit at Rockwood, Cardiff, and his able-bodied instructor, Professor Reynolds.

Sir Ludwig Guttmann, himself a keen fencer in his student days at Heidelberg University, Germany, was very quick to recognise the potentials of fencing as an addition to the sports practised from a wheelchair . There followed visits of Professor Reynolds to Stoke Mandeville, not only to carry out initial coaching of paraplegic patients, but in particular to initiate ‘Q’ Hill, the Spinal Centre’s redoubtable physical trainer seconded from the Army, into the art of coaching.

The International Stoke Mandeville Games in the following year, 1955, saw fencing as a Sabre competition in the programme of events. The Challenge Sword for the winner was presented to the Welsh Fencing Team by Dr (Sir) Roger Bannister, Guest of Honour at the Games. The competition took place on the outdoor netball pitch of the sports ground of Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

In 1956, foil was introduced for ladies.

At the meeting of Trainers at Stoke Mandeville in 1956, it was suggested that Epee be introduced as a third weapon. A demonstration of an electrical device made in Italy for scoring was given by the Italian representative, after which it was unanimously agreed that this weapon be introduced into the International Stoke Mandeville Games.

The meeting of Trainers in 1962 records a great many amendments to the rules and agreement that Epee be introduced for ladies.

Since 1965, Foil competition for men has been part of the sports programme at the Games.

Wheelchair Holding Devices
The early fencers carried out their sport from heavy brown wheelchairs issued by the Ministry of Pensions, known as travaux chairs. There was not much movement during the bouts, but as the type of wheelchair became lighter and the fencers more agile in the sport, it was necessary to try to stabilise the chairs. This was done by means of a person crouching behind the fencer’s chair and hanging onto the wheels.

As the sport developed, holding devices were made, the first of these being from Italy and tried out during the 1957 Games. Various types were subsequently devised, and in 1982 the ISMWSF gratefully accepted the gift of four sets of fencing frames from the Dutch Federation which both stabilise the wheelchairs and fixed the distance between the chairs. They were, however, very cumbersome to transport and set up.

In 1987 the Italians brought over a frame, which was copied in England. This has formed the basis for the several versions that are currently used. Minor adjustments included the consideration of lightness of the equipment and the facility to more quickly accommodate the wheelchairs which is particularly important when competition includes both right and left handed fencers.

Rules
The rules of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) were always followed, being amended from time to time with competition experience, to accommodate lack of movement on the piste and the taking of fencing distance.

Umpires and Judges
When fencing was introduced into the Stoke Mandeville Games, we were fortunate in having the support of the British Amateur Fencing Association, and the first fencing competition at Stoke Mandeville in 1955 was umpired by Mr Charles de Beumont, British Fencing Champion and President of the Amateur Fencing Association. In due course, wheelchair fencers became proficient to serve as judges.

Wheelchair Fencing enjoys a close relationship with its able-bodied counterpart, FIE. At the European Wheelchair Fencing Championships (October 1995), internationally qualified judges from the British Amateur Fencing Association officiated alongside wheelchair fencing umpires and judges.

In the Paralympic Games, international officials are provided by the host country and the events run in conjunction with the IWAS technical delegate.

Games in the Olympic Years (Paralympic Games)
Wheelchair fencing was on the programme of the first Paralympic Games in Rome, 1960, and has had competition in every subsequent Paralympic Games.

Wheelchair Fencing as an IWAS sport, maintains a healthy championships programme and within recent years there has been a resurgence in the amount of countries participating in the sport, particularly from nations in the far eastern region of the World and for the first time ever, in 2006 the Wheelchair Fencing World Championships were held at the same venue and at the same time and the Able-bodied World Championships (Torino, Italy).

Wheelchair Fencing has played an important role in the history and development of the Paralympic Games. Like their able-bodied counterparts, wheelchair fencers bring to their competition that aura of elegance and courtesy inherent in the sport itself.

To visit the IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Website click here

3rd Wheelchair Fencing Training Camp for Cadets: 17 - 25 June 2008, Rome Italy