By PTE Shannon Joyce
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Air
Force OFFCDT Adam Brown takes a stab at Army OFFCDT Ben
Dietwheler during a bout.
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Photo by PTE Shannon Joyce
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THREE
Defence Members from the ADFA Fencing Club have thrust their way
through the Australian National University Open Foil Competition
in Canberra.
Air Force Officer Cadet Adam Brown, Squadron Leader Michael Spencer
and Army Officer Cadet Ben Dietwheler recently competed in individual
bouts against competitors from a variety of Canberra and Sydney-based
fencing clubs.
SQNLDR Spencer was the best-placed of the three, coming third
in the open men’s competition. OFFCDT Brown came fifth and
OFFCDT Dietwheler eighth in the same category.
SQNLDR Spencer said foil and epee were two forms of fencing, fought
with thrusting weapons scored by the point of the weapon.
“The differences are that foil is a rule-based weapon where
the fencer must abide by strict rules in order to show priority
over the opponent before scoring a valid attack against a target
area limited to below the neck, between the shoulders and above
the groin. Epee employs a heavier weapon, no rules for priority,
and attacks may be scored against any part of the opponent’s
body.
“Sabre has a similar rule-based system to foil, except the
target area is the entire upper body, including the head and mask.
Additionally, point scoring is achieved by attacking with either
the point or the edge of the weapon.”
SQNLDR Spencer said the level of fencing in the competition was
exciting to watch, both from behind the mask and on the sideline.
“The sport of fencing promotes skills in observation, development
and application of tactics, hand-eye coordination, agility, as
well as fitness and teamwork,” he said.
SQNLDR Spencer is keen to hear from other ADF fencers with club
experience who are interested in forming a Defence sports interest
group. He can be contacted by email at michael.spencer@defence.gov.au.
