Tokyo, Japan, December 16, 2019: The International Fencing Federation held a series of fencing demonstrations for schoolchildren in Japan as it prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The events took place prior to the Tokyo Senior Men’s Foil World Cup/Olympic Test Event on December 13-15. On Sunday, December 8, a fencing demo at the Bunkyo Sports Centre gave children the opportunity to try fencing with a coach and promoted the upcoming World Cup/Test Event and Tokyo 2020. Several thousand students from elementary schools around Tokyo’s Bunkyo City were invited and many schoolchildren who attended were able to experience fencing first-hand. Souvenirs and recognition were given for taking part, along with photos and opportunities to meet athletes. On December 10, Japanese Olympic fencer Nozomi Sato, who competed in epee at the Rio and London Olympic Games, joined fencers Ikuo Furuta and Seiya Matsuura to present 400 students with an introduction to fencing at the Sakuradai Elementary School in Chiba. “Today we had children learn about fencing,” said Sato. “They learned about the three weapons, how to cheer in the competition and how to celebrate winning points and support the athletes. I would love for Japan to be represented at the Olympics in every weapon in both team and individual events. With the Olympics in Japan, now my family and other Japanese people can directly watch a fencing competition. We would love to have them come and watch it live.” The Senior Men’s Foil World Cup was held at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba where fencing will take place at the Olympic Games. More than 200 international men’s foil fencers took part. Source: www.fie.org
FIE builds fences in Olympic Games host city for Tokyo 2020
