SA’s best fencers cross swords at the Randburg Sports Complex

Swords flash and clang regularly at the Randburg Sports Complex, where many of South Africa’s top fencing competitors train.

The Tyshler Fencing School is always abuzz with the sparring of national champions, international tournament hopefuls and people who just do the sport for fun, including some young children.

“Fencing is a sport with history and tradition behind it,” said Dr Gennady Tyshler, who runs the school and is president of the International Fencing Federation Coaching Council.

“It was common in the past for army officers to do fencing, and it is one of the few sports that has been in every Olympic Games. It is a sport anyone can do, whether they want an Olympic medal, to win tournaments, or to just have fun.”

He added that fencing was something the whole family could do, as no one has to be specially fit to do fencing.

Veressa Kukolj called fencing “the best thing I have ever done in my life”.

“Fencing is amazing. I do it for exercise and to improve my concentration,” she said.

Kukolj and Tyshler likened the sport to a chess game because you have to try out-think your opponent.

Marguerite Langton (71), a winner of three golds, one silver and three bronze medals at previous Veterans Fencing World Championships, said fencing forced you to use both your mind and body.

“It teaches you self-control because if you lose your temper, you lose the fight,” she said.

Tyshler explained that the sport uses three types of swords – the foil, sabre and épée.

With the foil and sabre, points are scored when a person makes contact with their opponent on the upper body, although not on the head for the foil.

When using the épée, a fencer can make contact with their opponent anywhere for a point.

Details: Tyshler Fencing School mail@fencingschool.co.za; 011 792 4338.

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