Tulsa Club Offers Fencing Classes As Olympics Sparks Interest In The Sport

A few days into the fencing competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team USA has already earned two medals.

Americans Lee Kiefer and Lauren Scruggs battled it out in the women's individual foil finals. Kiefer won securing the gold medal, while Scruggs took home silver.

The success the United States has seen in the last several Olympics is helping grow the sport across the country, including in Tulsa.

However, the Tulsa Fencing Club was around long before that. Head coach David Dean calls it Tulsa's "best-kept secret."

It was started by Art Wade in 1963. "It is the second oldest club in Oklahoma," said Dean.

The club's members compete locally, regionally, and even nationally. Every four years when the Olympics come around, interest in the sport peaks.

"We have fencers that have been in the club that have fenced from four or five Olympics ago," Dean continued saying, "It is great because there is just a ton of it on TV."

There are three disciplines in fencing: foil, saber, and epee. The style of swords, protective gear worn, and scoring differs between each one.

"Foil you have to hit with a point on and you have to have the right of way to attack that person," said Dean. "Epee, it is a free for all. Anywhere is a touch, both people can get scores. Saber is the fastest of our competitions and it is a thrusting, pointing, slashing, waist up, anything goes."

That may sound like a lot to take in, but he said fencing is a sport anyone can learn.

"We start at age 10 and our oldest fencer is 71," added Dean.

Tulsa Fencing Club is starting a 4-week beginner's class on September 3rd from 7-8 p.m.

The cost is $95, and no prior fencing experience is required. Children must be at least 10 years old to sign up.

For more information visit the club's Facebook page HERE.

Fencing is every day of the Olympics through August 4.