Former fencer becomes Europe’s top-ranked lightsaber fighter
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 8
Former fencer becomes Europe’s top-ranked lightsaber fighter
9 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 8
The 40-year-old, from suburban Paris, says he has won about 40 tournaments and has trained in the sport for a decade after taking up lightsaber duelling.
France’s fencing federation recognised the discipline in 2019, helping clubs spread to most big cities; his Paris club has about 150 members and the French Open draws 80 to 90 fighters.
He says fencing skills and heavy training underpin his success in the mixed-gender precision sport, which is gaining global clubs and livestream audiences in the thousands.
With fencing now resembling Star Wars, can real lightsaber dueling become the next official Olympic combat sport?
As 3D-printed hilts and light whips evolve, how will lightsaber dueling strategies adapt to these high-tech weapons?