For more than fifteen years, competitive fencing has been thriving in Ústí nad Labem. The club, founded in 2009, is still going strong today and welcomes anyone eager to try their hand at this sport. Training sessions take place in the modern fencing hall at the Sports Hall of the Faculty of Education, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University.
The club's story began when coach Štefan Balko set up the first fencing group at a primary school on Mírová Street. Back then, the fencers had only the most basic equipment, but over time this modest hobby grew into a fully-fledged, successful sports club.
The Ústí club specialises exclusively in épée fencing — one of the three Olympic fencing disciplines alongside foil and sabre. What sets épée apart is that the entire body counts as a valid target, and victory goes to whoever touches their opponent with the tip of their weapon first.
Anyone interested in trying fencing and gradually mastering the technique and rules of the sport is welcome to join the club. Training builds reaction speed, coordination, quick decision-making, physical fitness and tactical thinking. Besides recreational sessions, the club places strong emphasis on competitive fencing: its members regularly take part in tournaments both in Czechia and abroad, and in recent years have increasingly achieved success at Czech championships and other major competitions.
Source: kudyznudy.cz