The Art of Fencing Sport
The sport of Fencing is a highly technical sport to master, with many rules and etiquette that must be followed. It is a lot easier to learn by participating rather than by trying to watch it in the movies or reading novels.
Fencing is a sport derived from duelling, played by two opponents on a strip or 'piste' 2m by 17m long. The object is to score 'hits' or 'touches' on your opponent. A given number of hits (usually from five to 15) make up a 'bout', and the first player to score that number wins the bout.
Fencing is such a fast-moving sport, touches are recorded electronically by the players' body wires, and announced by a coloured light on the side of the fencer who made the touch.
The three weapons used in the sport of fencing are the sabre, the épéé, and the foil. The foil is generally considered the best to learn as a beginner.
The Journey of Tsavora Coach Isaac Mburu Wanyoike
Isaac Mburu commenced the sport of fencing in 2015.He got a scholarship for a Master of Fencing and a high certificate in fitness and coaching science. At the end of the training, an athlete/coach attains a diploma certificate certified by International Fencing Federation (FIE) and South Africa Fencing Federation. Coach Isaac Mburu completed his course at the end of 2021 and started professional coaching in 2022. Isaac Currently coaches 30 Fencers at Tsavora fencing club
Isaac Mburu Wanyoike is the number one top athlete - Fencing in Kenya. He is the founder and CEO of Tsavora Fencing Club, where he coaches, juniors and seniors to become professional fencers.
Currently, Tsavora Fencing Club is coaching four international schools, to promote the sport of Fencing in Kenya, and enable students to be professional in the mastery of the sport.
The vision of the club is big, it also launched Tsavora Fencing Mtaani in Mathare and Huruma towns of Nairobi. It is training 30 cadets and six seniors at the moment.
How is Tsavora Fencing Growing as a Club?
In 2023, one Senior student will be heading to South Africa for a diploma in the master of fencing and a high certificate in fitness and coaching science, courtesy of Tsavora Fencing Club. In the same year - February, the club; Tsavora will produce professional cadet fencers who will compete at the African Cadet/Junior Fencing Championships in Accra Ghana February of 2023.
2023 World Fencing Championships
Across the globe, the sport of Fencing is competitive and active. Fencing in Kenya is a new opportunity for the youth to venture into this category of sports. The sport plays a major role in curbing mental illness, and it's a way for the body exercising hence it can reduce non-communicable diseases.
On February 23rd and 24th, 2023 athletes will compete for the World Cup épéé ranking senior men individual category in Germany.
On 24th and 25th, of March 2023 another épéé World Cup competition will be held in Argentina.
On the 19th and 20th of May, France; the Challenge Monal épéé championship individual senior male category is to be held in France.
Men and women will compete at the African championship Games using all blades between the 1st to 30th of June in Accra; Ghana.
The city of Milan will host the World Senior Fencing Championships come July 2023 Tsavora Fencing Club Coach and number one Fencer in Kenya, Isaac Mburu is expected to participate in all the games for 2023.
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2023 Tsavora Fencing Club Plan
The club plans to start national schools training and the Tsavora Mashinani program in January. Tsavora Fencing Club is growing with different projects although there are challenges that require some possible solutions for the club to accomplish its vision.
Tsavora Fencing is open to partnering with corporates for sponsorships. For example, during the national schools' fencing training, four students will be sponsored for three-quarters of their tuition fees, equipment and training in the sport. Tsavora Fencing will facilitate the training fees of eight students from the team annually. Each national school will have a team of 12 students in total
National schools' training projects need sponsorship at the initial stage because so many things are required at the club. Professional Fencing equipment, Fencing gear and a spacious training facility.
Art and Techniques of Training Fencing
The most experienced challenge is that parents do not want their children to participate in Fencing sports because of the fear of insecurity. Parents tend to say that their children are not safe.
The solution should be the creation of awareness on the streets. Most probably parents and kids shall be drawn to the attention of Fencing sport in Kenya. "When Fencers are on streets engaging with Kenyans while practicing, parents will see exactly what is happenings on the ground," Coach Isaac Mburu discloses.
On Sunday, 30th November 2022 Tsavora Fencing Mtaani program will kick start on the streets of Huruma town - Nairobi. This campaign is to create awareness to let people know that the sport of Fencing in Kenya exists.
There are three weapons in modern fencing: foil, épée, and sabre. Each weapon has its own rules and strategies.
épée category of Fencing
The mask and gear are plain white. When fencing, the target area is from head to the toe - the whole body. Its weapon has a bigger guard and is heavy. Its blade is the heaviest.
Foil Category of Fencing
The mask has a beam at the bottom - lamé. In fencing, a lamé is an electrically conductive jacket worn by foil and sabre fencers to define the scoring area. The target point is the tussle. Its weapon/blade has a small guard. The hand is not the target area.
Sabre Category of Fencing
It has lamé on the whole mask. The Jacket is silver with lamé. The target area is from the waist to the head. Sabre blade is a cutting weapon with a curved shape guard to protect the hand while fencing. Remember that Epee and foil categories have a point-hit weapon.
All Gears must be 800 neutrons, for safety purposes. "When you are poked there is no pain because the mask, jacket, and related gears - chest protector and plastron; half vest, have a thicker made material." Coach Mburu confirms.