London 2012 Paralympic Games: Wheelchair Fencing

Watch the exciting wheelchair fencing events during the London 2012 Olympic Games at ExCeL London, where competitors duel in a test of anticipation, speed and tactical awareness.

Paralympic Wheelchair Fencing at London 2012

Wheelchair fencing is a highly skilled game of attack and defence, where anticipating the next move is crucial. Be amazed by the speed of duels between competitors, which include flurries of lunges, attacks and defensive parries.

Wheelchair fencing appeared at the first Paralympic Games in 1960, making it one of the oldest events of the tournament. Split into three strands, based on the different weapons used, the bouts are determined by the best of nine hits – or in later competition, 15 hits.

Athletes are classified according to their disability, and they compete against opponents in the same class.

Wheelchair Fencing at the Paralympic Games

The foil is the most common weapon used in the sport, and was originally used as a training weapon. Points can be scored by targeting the bib of the opponent.

The sabre differs from the foil and epée in that points can also be scored with the side of the blade. The target is any part of the competitor's body above the waist, bar the hands.

The epée has a stiffer blade and, in the Paralympic competition, points can only be scored by touching any part of the competitor's body above the waist.