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Wheelchair fencing was introduced to the world at the Rome 1960 Paralympic Games. It is played by two athletes either as an individual event or as part of a team.
Athletes compete on wheelchairs which are fastened to the floor during competition.
Modified swords; foil, epee and sabre, are used to score points on specific areas on the body, depending on the weapon type.
There are three wheelchair fencing disciplines: foil, epee and sabre. The fencing wheelchairs are fixed to the floor on an angle of 110 degrees. Fencers might not rise from the sitting position but there are no restrictions to upper body movement. The equipment used for wheelchair fencing is the same used for able-bodied athletes. Fencers are connected to an electronic equipment and score by striking their opponent with the sword in the valid area.
Events
Rules and Equipment
Documents:
| Hypertonia | Impaired Muscle Power |
| Ataxia | Limb Deficiency |
| Athetosis | Impaired Passive Range of Movement |
Athletes, who have an eligible impairment and meet the minimum impairment criteria are allocated a Sports Class.
The Sport Class is allocated following the full athlete assessment taking into consideration the point scores for the range of movement, muscle power/strength and coordination testing, and the Wheelchair Function tests, and by confirmation by athlete observation during fencing in competition and training.
For illustrated explanation please click on the button below.
| Category A | |||
| Class 3 | Athletes with good Sitting balance, without support of legs and normal fencing arm, e.g. paraplegics from T10 to L2.
Athletes with double above the knee amputation with short stumps, or incomplete lesions above T10 or comparable disabilities can be included in this class, provided that the legs can help in maintaining the sitting balance. |
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| Class 4 | Athletes with good sitting balance with the support of lower limbs and normal fencing arm, e.g. with lesion below L4 or comparable disability. | ||
| Category B | |||
| Class 2 | Athletes with fair sitting balance and normal fencing arm. e.g. paraplegic type T1 – T9 or incomplete tetraplegics with minimally affected fencing arm and good sitting balance. | ||
Ireland currently does not have a Wheelchair Fencing National Governing Body member of Paralympics Ireland
| Governing Body | |
| International | International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) |
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