Fencing is a dynamic and strategic sport that requires skill, agility, and quick thinking. It is often misunderstood as an elitist or dangerous sport, but it is both accessible and one of the safest sports due to strict regulations and protective gear. Coach Marius Titus of Maties Fencing sheds light on the sport’s essence, training methods, and evolving landscape, while provincial fencer Luthando Madonsela shares his journey and aspirations in the sport.
There are three weapons in fencing: foil, épée, and sabre. “Everyone starts with foil, and the only valid target is the torso,” he explains. The sport requires precision, agility, and strategic decision-making rather than brute strength.
Luthando Madonsela, a B(Data Science) student and passionate fencer, echoes this sentiment: “At first, I just went to training, did a few drills, and some sparring. As time passed, I realized I needed to complement it with more private lessons. Now, I’m at the gym two or three times a week, running twice a week, and fencing twice a week.”
Fencing training involves a mix of conditional training, technical drills, and game-based learning. According to Coach Marius, “Good fencing has conditional training. We just get the general body fitness going—conditioning the legs, arms, and lungs. Then, we work with fencing-specific training, performing fencing moves with a training partner to develop skills like maintaining proper fencing distance.”
Footwork is essential. “If you’re not moving properly, it’s easy for the opponent to hit you,” says Coach Marius. Training drills often involve exaggerated footwork exercises to improve endurance and balance.
Luthando adds, “My coach has us do some weird and funny drills. At first, they seem pointless, but once you get on the fencing strip, you realize how helpful they are.” Beyond physical conditioning, fencing is a mental sport. Luthando emphasizes, “One of the most important things I’ve learned is to deal with losing quickly. You can’t let a loss get to your
head. You just must dust yourself off and prepare for your next match.”
He recalls his early days in competition: “I’ll never forget my first medal, which was a silver in foil, and my very first provincial tournament, where I lost all my matches, only scoring one point throughout the tournament. That experience shaped me.”
Coach Marius supports this mindset by ensuring that training remains engaging. “The important thing is also making a lot of training a game. So, it’s not just mechanically doing something. Your opponent will make it difficult, and you try to keep up, then swap roles.”
Fencing is often thought to be an expensive and exclusive sport. However, Coach Marius debunks this myth: “Cricket and tennis equipment are more expensive than fencing equipment. We compared the prices—a full cricket kit is a few thousand rands more expensive than fencing gear.”
Another common misconception is that fencing is only for the elite. “People think it’s a snobbish sport, but fencing has a welcoming community. If someone walks in, the seniors love explaining the sport and taking you through it.”
Luthando, who currently ranks 1st in the province for foil and 12th in the country, shares his aspirations: “For me, it’s all about constantly wanting to improve—getting better rankings and learning new skills. Having a coach who believes in me has been a huge help.” He hopes to make the national team and compete at an international level. However, balancing fencing with academics is challenging. “Right now, it’s tough to maintain a balance between studies and fencing. If I focus too much on my studies, I end up skipping practice, and vice versa.”
The sport is steadily growing at the university. More people are taking an interest in fencing, and clubs across the country are seeing an increase in participation. Coach Marius envisions greater accessibility. “We want to make fencing more visible in different communities. Open days can invite children to try it out. If they show real enthusiasm, we can find ways to support them.” Luthando adds, “The sport is growing nationally. More people are becoming aware of fencing, and opportunities for training and competition are increasing.”
Beyond competition, fencing is a sport that allows for growth in various avenues. Some fencers transition into coaching, theatrical fencing, or even historical re-enactments. Coach Marius explains, “Fencing has different angles—you can be a competitive fencer, a social fencer, or a theatrical fencer. Some people move between these categories depending on their goals.”
Luthando encourages newcomers to step onto the strip, “My advice would be to give it a try—you’ve got nothing to lose. You’ll get beaten by others at first, but that’s how you get better. You must take your lumps and learn from them.”
Coach Marius echoes this sentiment, “Fencing is fun. It’s not just about sport but the camaraderie. After training, we go out, and that bond strengthens the community. You’re fencing because it’s fun.”
Fencing is more than just a sport; it is a discipline that builds resilience, strategy, and mental fortitude. Whether as a competitor, a recreational fencer, or even through theatrical fencing, there is space for everyone to experience the thrill of the sport.
By Agnes Homwe
