Most of us think of fencing as weird swordfighting for rich people to do inside private gyms in their posh mansions.
Well, we're wrong. Fencing, which is going on at the Rio Olympics right now, is a tremendous athletic activity, and it's actually completely badass.
First of all, fencing is one of only FIVE activities that have been featured in every single modern Olympics (alongside athletics, cycling, swimming, and gymnastics).
Fencing requires agility on your feet and tons of leg strength, because you're constantly in a squatting position. Olympic fencers typically train between four and seven hours per day, five to six days a week.
This is what the individual épée rounds look like.
It's like a beautiful ballet. Except the ballet dancers have SWORDS.
You wear these cool AF electronic masks that look like they're straight out of Star Wars.
And the uniforms are fly as hell.
You compete on this crazy stick of gum looking thing called a piste.
And the fencers move so quickly that it looks like a cool '80s music video.
You've probably seen a fencing weapon before, but up close, they look straight out of the Middle Ages.
In épée fencing, the ENTIRE BODY is a target.
In fact, this is what women fencers have to wear to protect their chests.
Think football players celebrate too wildly? Well, fencers are famous for their intense screams.
And their reactions are priceless.
Let's just face it: None of us will ever look this cool doing anything.
It's a good old-fashioned duel.
Fuck yeah, fencing.
*metal hand emoji*
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