Looking to make a Star Wars dreams come true? The French Fencing Federation is giving a famed movie weapon equal rank with the foil, epee, and sabre—the traditional blades used at the Olympic Games. Federation bigwigs are recognizing lightsaber dueling as an official competitive sport.
Sure, these hard-plastic, real-life lightsabers can’t slice a Sith in half. But they look fearsome. Some even emit electric rumbles. There’s plenty of slashing, stabbing, and sweating in a three-minute lightsaber bout. In fact, the physical nature of the combat is one reason the fencing federation supports the new sport.
In the past, the likes of Robin Hood and the Three Musketeers helped lure people to fencing. Now, Luke Skywalker is the fictional hero encouraging kids off the couch and into combat.
“Cape-and-sword movies have always had a big impact on our federation and its growth,” says Serge Aubailly, the federation secretary general. “Lightsaber films have the same impact. Young people want to give it a try.”
Police officer Philippe Bondi practiced fencing for 20 years before switching to lightsaber. Bondi says he likes the idea of entering the Star Wars universe he saw in the first film at age seven.
Bondi fights in the same wire-mesh face mask he used for fencing. He bought new protective body armor (sturdy gloves, chest, shoulder, and shin pads) and a federation-approved lightsaber in glowing Jedi green.
To build their sport, French organizers produced rules that make lightsaber dueling both competitive and fun to watch.
“We wanted it to be safe, we wanted it to be umpired and, most of all, we wanted it to produce something visual that looks like the movies, because that is what people expect,” says Michel Ortiz, a tournament organizer.
Combatants fight inside a circle marked in tape on the floor. Strikes to the head or body are worth five points; to the arms or legs, three points; on hands, one point. The first to 15 points or with the highest score after three minutes, wins. Blows count only if the fighters first point the tip of their saber behind them. The rule encourages swishier blows that are easier for audiences to see and enjoy.
With only a few hundred fighters, lightsaber dueling won’t appear at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But if you ever hear the thwack of plastic blades and view the colorful, twisting shapes, you’ll want to give the sport a try. En garde, Jedi Knights!
first comment
wow this is very cooooooooool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it would be cool to actually see it happen
Awesome!
Awesome!
(THIS IS ANDREW H.)
That. Is. AMAZING!
That is probably the most-unbeliveable-dream-come-true-use-of-technology-I-have-ever-seen!
do they hurt?
the lightsabers don't actually hurt people right?
awsome
awsome
Karisma S
WOW! If you were doing a lightsaber tournament, which star wars character would you want to be? (I would want to be Ahsoka or Rey.)
Lily ( Thia's sister)
I know that Leia has a blast gun but I would be her
That's cool! ❤❤❤ So they don
That's cool! ❤❤❤ So they don't actually hurt you right?
@Leah P and Emelia G
I think it depends if you classify being wacked with a plastic tube as getting hurt.
Star Wars
This is so cool! I love Star Wars! Has anyone seen the new trailer for Star Wars 9? It looks really cool! @ Karisma S, I would be Jyn Erso from Rogue One, even if she isn't a Jedi.
not interested
I don;t like starwars. good for you who do.
Lily ( Thia's sister)
or I would be Rey also no I have not seen the ninth trailer but we are just about to start the one after we meet Rey also is it really Star Wars nine? because the one where Rey appears is seven and if you count solo there is at least already nine. are you counting solo??????
Lily ( Thia's sister)
Okay Nadia jut curious but is there a direct reason that you do not like Star Wars? I personally think that it is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ Lily S
No, I'm not counting Solo. When I mentioned "Star Wars 9" I meant Star Wars episode 9, and Solo is just a side story and not an episode, along with Rogue One. Does this make any sense? Because there are 8 episodes (so far, because 9 isn't out yet) and 2 side stories that aren't counted as episodes. So in all, there are (so far) 10 Star Wars movies, consisting of 8 episodes and 2 side stories (Solo and Rogue One). When Star Wars 9 comes out, there will be 11 movies in total, with 9 episodes and 2 side stories. Again, sorry if this makes no sense :-)
P.S @ Everyone, What's your favorite Star Wars movie? Mine's Rogue One :-)
Lily ( Thia's sister)
no that makes perfect sense and I have only seen up to the Force Awakens but that one is my favorite so far. Also doesn't Anakin look sooooooooo weird before he turns into Darth Vader ? I think that he does
@ Lily S
You're right! Anakin looks much better as Darth Vader ;-)
:-)
This is so cool!
Lily ( Thia's sister)
Yeah and then when he takes his cap of in the 6th movie he looks sooooooo weird
@ Julia V.
Yes, I have seen the trailer for the new Star Wars movie, it looks very good.
@ Lily.
well one simple reson. The Lord has asked my family not to peripatetic in starwars. or anything dysny. or any thing with magics cursory,and bad words. we don't do any thing marvel no superheros. And i am find with that and proud of that! if you want more explanation pleas say so.
Cool!
We did something kinda like this for my brother's birthday once.
My favorite Star Wars movie is Return of the Jedi. I've seen the trailer for nine and it looks interesting.
Lily ( Thia's sister)
Yeah Star Wars is like the only battle movies that we watch Nadia we do not do marvel or avengers or anything like that
Karisma S
My favorite star wars movie will probably be the ninth movie when it comes out.
not a blast gun a blaster
not a blast gun a blaster
Lily ( Thia's sister)
Opps sorry thank you for correcting me
Garrett v
How have you guys not seen any Marvel movies there some of the best movies of all time. Plus Avengers endgame came out last week. Have you at least heard of that movie
This is Clinton V
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4is7h_cgzI watch this
Lily ( Thia's sister)
sorry I can not use youtube but yes I have heard of avengers endgame
Garrett v
that is good that you have heard of endgame
I love Marvel movies! I am
I love Marvel movies! I am going to see Avengers Endgame either today or tomorrow!
Pretty cool, but I think they
Pretty cool, but I think they should have you train in at least one of the seven forms of lightsaber combat. The reason for this is in my opinion just swinging your lightsaber around willy nilly is a disgrace to star wars. There is so much potential for more intense and more pleasing to the eyes lightsaber combat. For those of you who aren't star-wars fans https://www.thoughtco.com/lightsaber-combat-seven-traditional-forms-2958067 Yeah im a nerd :P
Of topic but has anyone seen
Of topic but has anyone seen A Quiet Place? I watched it with my dad, it was petty scary!
*Pretty scary
*Pretty scary
Lily ( Thia's sister)
Uh no what is it about my friend (who is a boy) was half watching it on an airplane flight with his dad and he said that it was very scary!!!!!
@ Emilia G.
I have not seen a Quiet Place, but I have a friend who has. She said she liked it, and that it was very suspenseful. I've heard that it's not gory, but it has lots of suspense.
@ Emelia G
How was End Game
This is Clinton V
Please don't spoil endgame for us Emila.g. just tell us if it was good or bad.
I HAVE SEEN THIS BEFOR
It is really cool I saw it on facebook. They hope it becomes an Olympic sport!
@Hannah A
It seems like a cool sport for Star Wars geeks, but I don't think it fits in the Olympics.
yes yes yes yes!!!!
sooo awesome!
the new trailer is awesome!!
i would definitely be Rey
to Nadia A
my family is a lot like yours in that way but we usually pray before we watch certain movies.
No one in my family really
No one in my family really prays before watching certain movies. My parents just discuss it together. With A Quiet Place my mom wasn't sure she wanted us to watch it because she said it might be to scary, I luckily convinced her that we could watch it as a family and it was so much fun! It was a little scary though.
Lily ( Thia's sister)
we do not pray before we watch movies but if the movie is bad we stop it
@ LIVIA V
Yes we do. if we don't we regret it!
If you have to PRAY before
If you have to PRAY before watching movies, wouldn't it be MUCH better to just not watch them at all?!?!?! I mean, if we go to the store and there is something bad, we will pray about it because we can't avoid it, but watching movies is JUST for ENTERTAINMENT and you DON'T need to watch it!!! I doubt if God would really want to take away any bad memories of it or anything if you aren't forced to watch it!!!
Sorry, not trying to be rude,
Sorry, not trying to be rude, sorry if I hurt your feelings:(
Lily ( Thia's sister)
Allysa I agree with you what you are saying is right and I'm sorry if I'm cyberbullying but what Allyssa said I agree with 100%
Alyssa S
I agree with you. If a movie is bad we just stop watching it
@Alyssa S
Nadia A means they pray to ask God if it is good entertainment.
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