Tales of a One-Kidney Fencer

It occurred to me that some people, unfamiliar with the Olympic cycle, may wonder about the odd fencing “season.” Fencing is one of the original sports in the modern Olympics. The schedule is set to establish qualifications to make the Olympic team. While that will never be a consideration for me, the fencing cycle is universal for all age groups and tournament types.

What some people don’t understand is that fencing, from the Olympics down to local clubs, is managed by the national governing body, NGB, “USA Fencing.” So, local, regional, and national events are all sanctioned by USFA. Therefore, the fencing “season” is the same at all levels.

The fencing “season” isn’t really much of one. It basically starts on August 1, and ends the second week of July. The Summer National Championships are generally the first two weeks of July. That ends the season for most people for a whole two to three weeks.

However, the timing of the season means different things for different groups. I am a Vet fencer, which just means over 40. The goal for nationally competitive Vet fencers is to make the U.S. Team to represent the United States at the Vet World Championships held in October. There are three tournaments where Vets can get points to qualify for one of the four spots on the team. Those are the North American Cups held typically in January, April, and then the U.S. National Championships in July. The top four fencers in the U.S. by age group at the end of the Summer Nationals make the U.S. Team. That is the goal.

USA Fencing is changing how those points are qualified for in the near future. So, this may all change with or without notice.