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Home » China » International Events » Beijing » 2008 Beijing Paralympics » 2008 Beijing Summer Paralympics Sports » Wheelchair Fencing |
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Wheelchair Fencing |
Wheelchair Fencing was introduced by Sir Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, in England, in 1953 for the athletes in wheelchairs and was a part of the events in the Paralympic Games that were held in Rome, in the year 1960. Since then, the regulations have been progressively adapted according to progress in the techniques of fitting the wheelchair to the ground. It was quite well-liked in Europe and ever since its beginning; the sport kept a low profile in North America and Asia until the early part of the past decade.
At the Paralympics that took place in Seoul in the year 1988, an innovative system of integrated classification for Wheelchair Fencing was introduced, which permits athletes with various disabilities the chance to compete together and these disabilities could range from:
Amputee
Polio
Cerebral palsy
In Wheelchair Fencing Sport, the competition is static as compared to the able bodied sport of Fencing. The wheelchairs are set in place to the ground with metal frames and the chair is rather clamped to both sides of the frame to prevent the chair from tilting. The fencer with the shortest arms decides whether the playing area will be at his distance or that of his competitor. Fencing weapon is held by one hand and the other one is used for holding onto the chair when attacking and defending.
Wheelchair Fencing is going to be one of the most exciting events in 2008 Beijing Summer Paralympics Sports.
In first round individual events, each bout lasts for four minutes. The champion is the one who scores five hits (or the highest number of hits) in the bout. After this a knockout system follows where athletes contend in three, 3-minute rounds with a one-minute interval between rounds. The first one to score 15 hits is said to be the winner. In case there is a tie an extra one-minute bout is played and the first to score a hit becomes the winner. In case of the team events, the first team of three to score 45 hits becomes the champion.
In the Wheelchair Fencing Sport in Paralympics athletes are attached electronically to a signal box that records the contacts of the weapon. A point is awarded every time a fencer strokes the contestant in the target area. In case of the Épée competition, the target is everything but the waist.
Wheelchair: The wheelchair is said to be a principal piece of equipment. It is set to a metal frame in the competition area to sustain firmness. The inside rear wheel should be covered by metal shields that are removable. The chair could also be cushioned.
Weapons: The various weapons include the foil, epée and sabre, which are similar as for able-bodied fencers. Fencers who have a considerable loss of grip or control of the sword are permitted to attach the sword into the hand using a bandage or similar kind of wrapping.
Clothing: Fencers must be dressed in protective clothing, including a mask, a jacket a vest and a glove covering the opening of sleeve.
Flightshotelstours.com offers online information on Wheelchair Fencing.
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