Rio de Janeiro hosts Open International Wheelchair Fencing Training Camp

The camp was organized by Valber Lazaro Nazareth, a member of the IFC Sports Commission, and the Brazilian Paralympic Committee jointly with the Russian, French and Chilean teams.  In the event from 6th to the 14th October, 28 wheelchair athletes, 18 trainers and staffs, and about 10-15 invited able-bodied Brazilian fencers got acquainted with wheelchair fencing and tried their skills on the wheelchairs for the first time.

The training session were very interesting and important for all the participants – all could fence with new opponents, try new technique and tactics. The coaches gave lessons in different languages but all understood the fencing language. That was a good practice in all ways.

The Russian and the French team tested themselves in new climatic conditions and after the long flight.

Rio de Janeiro is situated in a wonderful place between hills and the Atlantic Ocean. All teams visited the most beautiful and popular places – Corcovado hill and Pão de Açúcar, Copa Cabana and Ipanema beaches.

During their time in Rio members of the IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Prmotion Commission, Ksenia Ovsyannikova and Kleber Silveira met to discuss future cooperation for the sport. This training camp was the first step for future connection. Kleber plans to develop wheelchair fencing in South America and will connect further to develop Category C and women sabre in America too.