THE sharp clash of metal on metal fills the air, echoing off the gym's white walls, as young fencers glide across the polished floor, their movements as fluid as they are precise. A loud snapping sound cuts through the focus — one fencer's foil strikes the opponent's mask with an almost surgical precision, signalling a point scored.
The modest room hums with energy, each fencer dressed in crisp white gear, their faces set in fierce concentration beneath their visors. The sounds of swift footwork, the hiss of blades slicing through the air, and the thud of the floor beneath the forceful thrust of a lunge all blend into a rhythm that is as much mental as it is physical.
In the corner of the room, a group of coaches, led by head coach, Nontapat Panchan (or Non), from Blade Fencing Club watch intently, their eyes scanning the movement, minds, no doubt, already several steps ahead, anticipating the next move. The air crackles with the intensity of each bout, where a millisecond of hesitation could mean victory or defeat.
These aren't just athletes — they are gladiators of the mind, fighting an invisible battle with their wits and reflexes, every movement a calculated risk.
BIRTH OF BLADE
Twelve years ago, the idea of a thriving fencing community in Malaysia was almost unthinkable. But in the corner of Publika, Kuala Lumpur, a small club began its journey with little more than a handful of aspiring fencers, some equipment, and a vision.
Then, just a year before Covid-19 hit, the decision was made to move to a new space in Centre Point, Petaling Jaya. Today, Blade Fencing Club has over 200 athletes, is the largest centre for fencing in the country, and enjoys a growing reputation in international competitions.
It all began with a dream — and a coach with an Olympic pedigree. Non, the club's head coach, had represented Thailand at the Beijing Olympics. He grew up in the United States (US), earned titles as a two-time NCAA champion, and honed his coaching skills in the US and Singapore before making Malaysia his home. It was here that he, alongside his partner Timothy Koh I-Wei (or Tim), founded Blade Club.
"We started with just one or two fencers in Publika," recalls Non's wife, Low Wan Chiun, who's involved in managing the club. "Back then, it was a very small, humble operation. It's amazing how far we've come."
The club's success wasn't instantaneous. In the early days, Blade struggled with space constraints, often cramming five fencers into the small training area. But as the sport's popularity grew and more young people began showing interest, the club expanded into two locations before finally settling at its current home.
Fencing in Malaysia wasn't always a popular sport. "It wasn't big back then," explains Low, adding: "But fencing's rise in countries like the US and Hong Kong has had a ripple effect. It's starting to spill over to this part of the world, and we've definitely benefited from that."
A proud accomplishment to date is its strong showing in the Sukma Games, a biennial national multi-sport event involving young athletes from Malaysia's 13 states and three Federal Territories.
"This year, we sent the most fencers and took home the most medals," beams coach Muhammad Amir Adha, who, together with affable coach Tim, had been beckoned by Low to join us. "The coaches have definitely done a great job," pipes Low, smiling proudly.
Yet, Blade's mission extends far beyond local wins and medals. It's about building a sustainable, long-term culture of fencing excellence. "Fencing takes generations to build," explains Tim, expression earnest.
Continuing, he points out: "You need a strong generation of athletes to train and challenge each other, which is how we'll ultimately get stronger. We're now moving into our fourth generation of fencers."
But while the path to excellence in fencing is being paved by this growing community, the sport remains financially out of reach for many. Fencing has a reputation for being elitist, primarily due to its high costs.
"Actually, in the past, fencing was very much a grassroots development sport," recalls Amir, who started his own athletic journey as a sprinter before discovering fencing at age 15. Continuing, the 34-year-old shares: "Back then, sports schools had it in their curriculum and it attracted top athletes, too. But at some point, over time, it became badly managed and eventually disappeared off the radar. We started to see fewer opportunities for those who couldn't afford it."
At Blade, however, the commitment to inclusivity remains strong. The club has even run outreach programmes aimed at supporting children from less privileged backgrounds. "Before Covid, we worked with Rumah Kaseh Harmony, an orphanage in Sg Buloh. We selected a group of kids, ages 8 to 10, to start fencing. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit, and we had to put a pause on the programme," says Low, before adding: "But if the resources are there, we'd love to pick it up again."
MIND CHESS
The sport itself is not only physically demanding but also mental. "Fencing is a lot like chess," explains Tim, adding: "It's all about timing, strategy and anticipation. You don't necessarily have to be the most athletic person, but you need to be quick-witted and adaptable. It's all about outsmarting your opponent."
Fencing is also proving to be an ideal sport for children who need to sharpen their focus. The discipline and mental clarity required to succeed on the fencing strip makes it an excellent activity for kids on the autism spectrum. "We've had several kids who've thrived in this environment," shares Low, adding: "It helps them develop a level of focus they might not have in other activities."
In fencing, timing is also crucial. Elaborating, Low explains: "It's about developing an instinctive sense of what your opponent will do next. This skill is honed over time — starting from a young age, so that as they grow older, it becomes second nature, deeply ingrained in their reactions."
As much as fencing is a test of strategy, physical fitness is equally important. Coaches like Tim and Amir, along with their fellow coaches, teach children from a very young age. Shares Tim: "In places like Hong Kong and Bangkok, kids start as young as 4. It's about teaching them to move their bodies, learning to run, jump, and develop coordination before they even pick up a weapon. Once they build that foundation, it's easier to train them for the specific movements of fencing."
The club's other proud milestone came in the 2022 SEA Games, where Blade's fencers contributed heavily to Malaysia's medal tally. "We were the biggest contributor, particularly in foil, and our athletes took third place in the Asian Cadet Championship," beams Low.
Tim chips in, tone laced with pride: "We're not just aiming to do well in local competitions; we really want to send our athletes abroad and pit them against the best. However, everything remains self-funded, so that can be a challenge."
In the meantime, the club has established collaborative partnerships with coaches from Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Italy, the US and England to ensure that its athletes are constantly evolving and adapting to the sport's changing demands.
"Fencing is a constantly evolving sport. For example, every Olympic cycle brings a shift in strategy — one year, people might focus more on offence and the next, on defence. It's pretty much like a game of chess, always adapting," explains Tim.
ELITIST SPORT
Fencing, with its graceful yet intense moves, has roots that stretch back centuries, drawing from the martial arts traditions of ancient civilisations. The sport as we know it today evolved from the swordsmanship techniques used by warriors in the Middle Ages, but its origins can be traced further back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where combat training was central to military education. In these early days, fencing wasn't a sport but a means of preparing for battle.
The modern sport of fencing began to take shape during the Renaissance in Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain. As firearms began to replace swords in warfare, fencing became more of a gentleman's pursuit, a way to hone one's skill with a blade in peacetime.
This shift led to the creation of fencing schools, with masters like Italian fencing legend Giovanni di Lignano developing a structured system of techniques and rules. By the 18th century, fencing was established as a sport, with the introduction of the foils — lightweight swords used for training — and the development of standard rules governing the duels.
One particularly interesting piece of fencing trivia is that the first-ever recorded fencing competition was held in 1200s Spain, where the event was part of a chivalric festival. But it wasn't until the 19th century that fencing became a staple in major international competitions, most notably the Olympics.
Fencing made its Olympic debut in the 1896 Summer Games in Athens, but only for men's events. Women were excluded from the sport until 1924 when they competed in the Paris Olympics. Today, fencing is one of the oldest continuous sports in the Olympics.
Fencing's unique scoring system, especially in modern times, is also fascinating. The introduction of electronic scoring in the 1930s revolutionised the sport. Instead of relying on judges' visual calls, fencers now wear electrically wired jackets and weapons that light up when a valid touch is made, making the action quicker and more precise, and eliminating human error. This technological advancement has made fencing more accessible and exciting for both competitors and spectators.
THE FUTURE… AND BEYOND
The club's journey has been anything but easy, but it's one that reflects the quiet determination of its founders and athletes. From those early days in a small corner of Publika with just a handful of fencers, to now, where it stands as Malaysia's largest fencing hub, the growth is a testament to persistence and a shared belief in the sport's potential.
Coaches like Non, Tim and Amir haven't only trained athletes, but also fostered a culture of inclusivity and community, making fencing more accessible to those who might otherwise never have picked up a foil.
While the challenges of an elitist sport remain, Blade's dedication to nurturing the next generation of fencers ensures a bright future, where this ancient art finds new life in the hearts of athletes, young and old. The battle for fencing's place in Malaysia may still be unfolding, but with the club, as well as others like them, leading the charge, the future is poised for a new era of champions.