About Wheelchair Fencing

Wheelchair Fencing is a sport open to men and women with locomotive disabilities and as its name suggests must be practiced from a wheelchair. Classification is divided into three classes: A, which is for athletes with full trunk movement and good balance, B, which is for athletes with no leg movement and impaired trunk and balance functions and C, which is for athletes with a disability in all four limbs.  Class C is not included in the Paralympic programme but is a medal event at Regional and World Championships.

In Wheelchair Fencing the athlete’s wheelchair is clamped into a metal frame which holds the competitors at a given distance from each other. The fencer with the shortest arm decides if the playing area will be at his distance or that of his opponent. 

The competition comprises individual and team events in foil, epee and sabre for men and individual and team events in foil and epee for women. Each team must include at least one fencer from class B (the more severely disabled class).

It is one of the most safety conscious sports with athletes wearing Kevlar protective clothing and masks. It is one of only two combat sports in the Paralympic programme (the other being Judo).

Fencing is practiced in 26 countries.

For those wishing to participate in wheelchair fencing the point of contact is as follows:

Paul Cordell
British Disabled Fencing Association

e-mail info@bdfa.org.uk

To contact The British Disabled Fencing Association click on the logo