Fencing

 Wheelchair fencing is a fast-passed, technique centered game. Since its Paralympic debut, in 1960, the sport has grown in participation and in technological advancements.

There are three types of weapons wheelchair fencers compete in; Epee, Foil & Sabre. Each weapon has different blades, and scoring areas in which to get points. The objective in wheelchair fencing is for the athlete to score 5 points (or the greatest number of hits) against his/her opponent in pool bouts, 15 points in direct elimination matches. Athletes are connected electronically to a signal box that records the touches of the weapon. A point is awarded each time a fencer touches the opponent in the target area.

In foil, points are scored with the tip of the blade and must land within the torso of the body.  In sabre, the target area is any part of the body above a horizontal line drawn between the top of the folds formed by the thighs and by the trunk of the fencer.  In epée competitions, the target is everything above the waist with an apron being worn below the waist to aid in cancellation of these touches.

The fencer with the shortest arms decides if the playing area will be at his distance or that of his opponent. During play, the fencer holds the fencing weapon in one hand. The other hand is used to hold onto the wheelchair when lunging and recovering. Feet must remain on the footrest and the fencer must remain seated.