MARIETTA, Ga. — One of the oldest sports in the Olympics is starting to attract some of the youngest athletes in Georgia.
Fencing dates back to the late 1100's and has been featured in every single Olympics since the inception of the Games.
In 2024, a new group of athletes are trying to set the gold standard with a silver foil. No matter the year, it's always high stakes and high drama on the fencing strip as opponents duel it out each bout.
"It's pretty cool, swords and all that stuff," said athlete Joshua Riggins.
While the draw of a sword fight drew Riggins in, he says there’s a lot more to the sport.
"People think it's like light sabers and you just swing your arm around and you'll eventually get the touch. It's not really like that," he said.
It's actually more strategic than people think, he explained.
"It's very technical, it's not just stand in front of someone and stab them," he said. "A lot goes on behind that, how you're standing, advancing and retreating, flushing, your attack options. All the parries, attacks, and counterattacks."
From the uniform to the strikes at Georgia Fencing Academy in Marietta, Riggins says everything about the sport is precise.
"I just try to stay focused, turn off all distractions, I turn my phone off, keep my head in the game," he said.
The 16-year-old has only been fencing for two years, but is already ranked 63rd in the country with Olympic dreams.
"To get good? It depends on what your definition of good is. But I think in half a year, you'll be pretty good," said Riggins.
Fencers use one of three weapons, the Epee, the foil, or the saber. Each match up is called a bout, with fencers earning touches for each time they strike their opponent.
It goes quick, only 9 minutes max, with the first to 15 winning the bout.
Riggins is training 20 hours a week with the hopes of lunging in to the Olympics in 2028.
"It would mean a lot, everything to be honest, it's my dream," he said.
Until Riggins qualifies, you can keep up with Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games here.
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