Future Olympians could be among the students training at Charlotte Fencing Academy along Monroe Road in Charlotte. Fencing will soon return to the world stage during the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Places like Charlotte Fencing Academy are where the journeys of many Olympians often begin.
“Some athleticism is always helpful to be a good fencer, but it can be built up,” said Brian Toomey, the owner and coach of Charlotte Fencing Academy. “Being able to come up with tactics on the fly is important and being able to handle pressure is crucial.”
Fencing is a combat sport that features sword fighting. It’s one of five sports made permanent fixtures at the Olympic Games since the first modern games in 1896.
Fun fact: There are three blades used in Olympic fencing — foil, épée, and sabre.
Interested? Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or brand new, Charlotte Fencing Academy offers classes to teach students correct footwork, bladework, and tactics on how to compete. All equipment is provided.
Editor’s note: City Editors Jack and Maria visited Charlotte Fencing Academy and tried out the blades for ourselves. Be on the lookout for how it went.
