If you've ever watched an Olympic fencing bout, you have some idea of how wicked-fast the action is. I had the privilege of taking a couple of years of fencing in college under Dr. Francis Zold [1], captain of the 1948 Hungarian Olympic team, and, over thirty years later, and even against people who'd actually picked up and trained with a foil, epee, or saber, he was ridonculously quick and competent.<\/p>\n
These people are fighting with saber, which is unique in fencing weapons in allowing a point with either the tip or the edge of the blade, anywhere from the waist up. <\/p>\n
It does not go well for the amateurs, even under the maxim of "the world's best swordsman doesn't fear the second-best swordsman, but the worst."<\/p>\n
[1] http:\/\/museumofamericanfencing.com\/wp\/zold-dr-francis\/<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n