Scottish Schools’ Fencing Champion
28th November 2016
Congratulations to Olivia Burns (SIII) who, in addition to holding the title of U-15 British Pentathlon Champion, has also won the title of U-16 Scottish Schools’ Individual Fencing Champion. This annual competition was hosted by Linlithgow Academy on the weekend of the 26-27th November and included all 3 of the weapons that are used in the Olympic sport of fencing - epée, foil and sabre.
Olivia competed in the epée event, the only one in which the entire body is the valid target area. Epée is the heaviest of the three modern fencing weapons. Fencing matches with the epée require a large amount of concentration, accuracy and speed. Since the entire body is a target, a successful epée fencer must be able to anticipate their opponent's moves and strike their opponent at the correct time.
Fencing as a sport engenders many of the qualities we strive to encourage in young people. Fencing has been shown to improve, self-discipline, confidence and courage, as well as improving reaction times, mental agility, balance and hand-eye coordination.
St Columba’s runs extra-curricular fencing clubs for Junior 5-6 pupils and Senior I-II pupils.
