An interview with H.H. Engr Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the FCA

The final game of women's team fencing at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games 2018

Fencing, with its refined gentlemanly etiquette, versatile techniques and tactics, and swift and nimble footwork, is often referred to as the "art of ballet in combat".

The long-sword-wielding athletes, floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee in the centre of the fencing strip, in a sport which is a showcase for grace and charm.

With the approach of the Hangzhou Asian Games the sport has once again become the focus of public attention. In this issue of Hangzhou Asian Games, H.H. Engr Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, president of the Fencing Confederation of Asia, takes us behind the scenes of this time-honoured sport.

A time-honoured sport

Fencing, as a competitive sport, has been one of the oldest events since the modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. In the 1974 Tehran Games it became an official event of the Asian Games for the first time.

Engr Sheikh Salem said that as a traditional sport, fencing has a long development and today, the Asian Fencing Confederation covers 44 Asian countries and regions. Among others, there are China, ROK, Japan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE and so on. At present, the Confederation is working hard to expand the list, and is committed to making great progress in developing this sport in Asia.

"The Asian Games are widely regarded as one of the most significant platforms for showcasing athletic prowess in Asia. The Asian countries (regions) are very carefully preparing for the Games. The Asian Fencing Confederation is making every effort to work with the National Olympic Committees. We are organising promotional events for the Asia Games and hope that these events will give one more push for the development and popularization of fencing in Asia. And especially in the countries where fencing is developing."

Hangzhou Asion Games fencing venue — Hangzhou Dianzi University Gymnasium

Hangzhou is to welcome a larger number of participating teams

In the Xiasha Higher Education Park in Hangzhou, the flying saucer-shaped fencing competition venue of the Hangzhou Asian Games — Hangzhou Dianzi University Gymnasium, where 18 gold medals will be awarded, stands to welcome the top "swordsmen" from Asian countries (regions).

Venues are one of the criteria for testing the games. Engr Sheikh Salem said HAGOC is also actively participating in the work of the Chinese Fencing Association and "Our Technical and Officials team for this important event includes not only high-level specialists from the International Fencing Federation, but is also a strong and dedicated team.We will utilize all available IT software technologies and facilities for the competition.

"As I said above, these are very important Games for all of us." Engr Sheikh Salem said,"We hope that all of our FCA National Federations will be able to take part in these great games. And once again I would like to note that the scale of the Asian Games is growing every year. This is especially true after the pandemic. And we are looking forward to these Games."

The Hangzhou Asian Games is to be a new benchmark

According to the technical characteristics, fencing events in the Asian Games are divided into foil, epee and sabre. Among them, epee is more athletic, sabre pays attention to speed, and foil requires more skills and accuracy.

And all of the three games will shine on the stage of the Asian Games. "Happily, apart from the opportunity to see some of the best fencers in Asia, all fencing-lovers will be able to embrace the great festival of the Asian Games. That's what we're most looking forward to."

"I would like to wish the Organising Committee of the Hangzhou Asian Games Good Luck! Let's cherish, a long-awaited Olympics of Asia celebration for the Olympic Movement of Asia. This will become the flagship for the further development of sports in Asia and of course the popularization of our most beautiful fencing events. May the strongest win these Games. And for the developing countries, I would like to note that the participation and embracing of such sports and the Olympic celebration is also very important."