In a galaxy not so far away, doing battle with lightsabers has become a legitimate sport. Earlier this year, the French Fencing Federation officially recognized the Star Wars-fueled fascination with high-tech laser-light dueling by sanctioning events where participants use “blades” made of LED-lit, rigid polycarbonate lightsaber replicas. The goal is to get people off the couch and involved in more physical activity The lightsaber duels follow the basic rules of fencing, awarding points for making contact with the opponent. The first fighter to 15 points wins the match.
En garde, Star Wars fans:
- Fencing is thought to have originated in Spain, but the mechanics of the modern sport began in the 18th century at an Italian school of fencing.
- The three disciplines in modern fencing are the foil, the épée, and the sabre. Fencing was one of the first sports contested in the modern Olympics.
- The "fencing" lightsabers are equipped with computer chips in the hilt that emit a throaty rumble when wielded during a match, much like the air-slicing sounds from epic Star Wars movie battles.