Fast and furious fencing

Parafencing is a dynamic and exciting adaptive form of the sport, using a frame attached to the piste for wheelchair stability and to provide a fixed distance between fencers.

Internationally, competitions are held in all three weapons - epee, foil, and sabre - with athletes competing in three classifications based upon their degree of disability.

Any club can offer parafencing with few modifications. For training purposes and general bouting, able-bodied fencers can act as sparring partners by fencing  from a wheelchair.

Coaching

The fundamentals of fencing can be taught to athletes with a disability without any special equipment.

View these suggestions from Fencing USA.

For more advanced lessons, learn how to adapt coaching methods for instructing  athletes in wheelchairs with this series of online videos.

Wheelchair frame

The AFF has some wheelchair fencing training frames based on a design produced by the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation. These frames are ideal for clubs interested in providing wheelchair fencing training. Contact the AFF for more information.

Portable

Inexpensive

Easy to store

For clubs interested in building their own frame, view the specifications and instructions provided by IWAS at the link below.

International competition

International wheelchair fencing is a Paralympic Games sport. It is governed by the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS), a member of the International Paralympic Committee.

Classification

Any athlete with physical disabilities is eligible to compete in one of three divisions of parafencing. An official classifier determines the specific category for each fencer.

Rules

The rules for parafencing tournaments, including equipment specifications, are available on the IWAS website.

International tournaments

Wheelchair fencing was a foundation sport at the 1960 Rome Paralympic Games and will be part of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. IWAS publishes a list of sanctioned wheelchair fencing events.