En Garde! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cleaver

The three main categories of fencing as seen in the Olympics are Epee, Foil, and Sabre. Each weapon is slightly different and a different attack is used depending on which instrument is used. The FIE, also known as Federation Internationale d'Escrime is the international governing body for this sport.

Answer: White

Fencing suits are white. This is because in the past, touching was recorded by a piece of cotton that had been dipped in ink and then attached to the appropriate area of the weapon.

Answer: Fencing is one of the few combat sports with no weight class

Fencing is one of the few combats sport with no weight class (e.g. sumo wrestling has no weight class). Remember martial arts are not being included in this quiz. Anyone of any height or weight, may be your opponent. Fencing originated in France not Australia, there is no tackling in fencing, and the weapons are not made of plastic.

Answer: You are being disqualified and must leave

A "Black Card" is given after an act of unsportsmanlike behavior. It indicates that the athlete must leave the competition floor and has been disqualified from any further advancement in the tournament. Examples of behavior that can earn you a "Black Card" are throwing of equipment, the use of profanity against the judges or your opponent or other disruptive behaviors.

The ideals of honor and sportsmanship are very important in this sport and are strictly enforced.

Answer: Electronic scoring

In 1936, electronic scoring became available doing away with the job of the side judge. This new apparatus reduced the bias of human judges and was much more accurate. The lights and sounds of electronic scoring machines can be seen and heard at all fencing tournaments today.

Answer: Accidental death of a fencer

During the 1982 World Championships in Rome, Russian fencer Vladimir Smirnov was killed when the blade of his opponents weapon broke. His opponent Matthias Behr of West Germany, had his weapon break during the middle of the action and his blade went through Smirnov's mask, through his eye socket and into the brain. Smirnov, who had won three Olympic medals, died nine days later.

This proved to be the impetus behind the improvement of safety gear in fencing.

Answer: An underarm protector

The plastron goes underneath the jacket worn by fencers and provides protection for the underarm and the ribcage. The outfit, worn by fencers today, is all about protecting the athlete. Because of the potential lethality of this sport, every protective measure is taken.

Answer: Distracting your opponent by stomping the ground

'Appel' is the practice of the stomping on the ground, in an attempt to make a distracting sound in an attempt to catch your opponent off guard. It is also used in an attempt to startle your opponent. If you see a participant repeatedly stomping the ground, this is not an 'appel' but is an indication by the participant that the bout must be stopped due to injury or equipment failure.

Answer: False

Competitive fencing is one of the five sports that has been seen in every one of the modern Olympic Games. The other four are swimming, cycling, gymnastics and athletics.

Answer: False

The phrase 'En Garde' is a French term not Italian. Further it means 'On Guard'. It is a command to combatants to assume the standard posture of a fencer as the bout is fixing to start.