Local students aspire to USA Olympic fencing team

    It's one of the original games in the summer Olympics, but it doesn't often get as much attention as gymnastics or track and field.

    However, fencing is still a major player.  One Shreveport school is dedicated to bringing the art and sport of fencing to the ArkLaTex.

    Mixing young children with sharp weapons may not seem like the safest thing to do, but for fencers-in-training, it makes perfect sense.

   "People have been doing it for thousands of years.  I just wanted to try it out," said Matthew Vatacaa, student.

    Fencing grabs the international spotlight every four years during the summer Olympics.

    Closer to home, students train for a chance to one day be on a future USA Fencing Team.

   "Because you get to be real aggressive and you can just be like yes inside when you get a touch," said Rainer Courtney, student.

    Andy Shaw owns the eclectic fencing studio on Fairfield Avenue.  He personally works hard with each of child as they grow as fencers.

"The idea is that for each person to become a champion of themselves," Shaw said.

    It's a lot more than just picking up a sword and heading out into the ring, students say you to wear a lot of safety gear like this mesh mask before you're ready for the strip."

  "You wear three things.  You wear a chest protector, and plastron and the jacket for protection," another student, John-Luke said.

    They hooked me up to the electronic counter that makes a loud noise each time you're hit.

    Once you've got the gear on, these fencing students practice a series of moves that either attack or defend an attack from their opponent.

"I like to parry and repost, still working on head counts," said Catherine Green, student.

"Probably a flunge which is a leaping lunge," Vatacca said.

    Some students enjoy it for more obvious reasons.

 "I just like the idea of using a sword to hurt other people," said Ethan Giddens, student.

    Luckily, that doesn't happen very often.