Fencing

Fencing as a sport has existed since ancient times. Many ancient works of art depict swordsmen.
Fencing was one of the nine events of the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
In Florina, in 1977, the Floridian Yannis Gousopoulos, an officer of the Greek Army, came to Florina and the Florina Gymnastics Union (G.E.F.) proposed to him to take over the formation and training of a fencing team, since he himself was a Greek champion, a Balkan champion? And he had participated in world championships.
The first young Florentine fencers come out of the G.E.F. The citizens embrace the sport and it is established in the city of Florina.
Since then until today athletes of our city are champions, balkan champions and have many participations in world-class competitions.
In fencing there are three types of weapons (swords). The drill sword (foil) which is the lightest, the duelling sword (epee) which is a descendant of the sword used in ancient duels and the sabre which is a variant of the cavalry sword.
Since 2010 the European Cup FLORINA EUROCUP MEN’S CADET FOIL, which takes place in Florina every October with the participation of athletes from all over Europe, has been established.
Lessons and fencing demonstrations are held at the facilities of the G.U.F. (Florina Gymnastics Union – 3rd km of Florina – Nikis) and at the F.F.C. (Florina Fencing Club – area of the Railway Station), upon request.

TEXT: Christos Tegos
SOURCES: a) Gousopoulos Yannis  b) Tsokas Petros