On boundaries

This weekend saw sabreurs, epeeists and foilists fighting it out for world cup points at the Gateshead International Stadium. This competition is part of the Coupe du Nord, a satellite world cup series based in northern Europe. The winners in the sabre were local fencer Chris Farren and Malgorzata Kozaczuk from Poland. Fencing is a sport in which I have been involved for many years (though not as many years as Reivers has been loosing arrows). I fence sabre: it's fast, furious and a great deal of fun when you fence well. Fence badly and it is painful, hard work and demoralising. Sadly it was the latter that prevailed yesterday, but never mind that. I enjoy this mad sport, which involves wearing far too many clothes on a sticky June day, not only for the fitness aspects, but also the mental challenge. Fencing has been described as 'physical chess' and it really is one of those sports where the mental side of things is more important in many respects that the physical.

I remember in my mid-twenties fencing Richard Cohen, former Olympian and by now a veteran. I was younger and fitter (though a good deal shorter) and I didn't land a single touch. His mental game was superb and he completely dictated the bout. My sole consolation was I did at least make him move! Equally, I've seen people throw away a commanding lead and lose because their opponent had deeper mental reserves – never underestimate the power of a fencer's wounded pride.

So for all those who want mental exercise as well as physical, get down to your nearest fencing club and have a go.

British Fencing

Fencing Forum