They plant their feet firmly, square their shoulders, stare into the penetrating gaze of their opponent, and draw their weapons. Blood will not be shed. The fighters are not dueling to the death but for points in the swift and challenging sport of fencing. Twice weekly, a diverse group of local fencing enthusiasts hone their swordplay skills beneath the newly built Mueller Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy. Fencing is a lot of things and anyone can do it,'' said Kristy Danielli, an RPI senior studying environmental engineering, and president of the RPI Fencing Club.
Images come to mind of swashbuckling pirates, armour-clad gladiators and gallant knights of yore.
B.C. Today's style of fencing evolved from the unarmored dueling of 16th-century combat. Rapiers narrow, lightweight swords were used primarily for self-defense and dueling. As time progressed, and law developed, sword duels declined and fencing emerged as an aristocratic pastime. Fencing was also included in the first modern-day Olympic games held in Athens in 1896 one of only four sports to have been included in every games since. Fencing starts with the mind.