Published on: 2026-09-12
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Every second Saturday of September is celebrated as World Fencing Day. Moscow has developed extensive infrastructure for practicing this sport. Training is conducted on a budget basis in six institutions subordinate to the capital’s authorities. Department of Sports. Among them are the Moscow City Physical Culture and Sports Organization, the Youth of Moscow Physical Culture and Sports Association, the comprehensive Olympic reserve schools “North” and “South,” the Moscow Olympic Reserve School, and the Moscow Academy of Modern Pentathlon. They all offer free classes for children who have passed the competitive selection. This makes fencing accessible and allows talented children from different districts of Moscow to receive quality sports training.
World Fencing Day is intended not only to popularize this sport but also to engage Muscovites in caring for their physical and mental health, which aligns with the city’s philosophy of healthy longevity.
“As a general practitioner, I want to emphasize that such active activities are incredibly important—they are a brilliant example of implementing the city project ‘Philosophy of Healthy Longevity.’ Fencing is not just an interesting and aesthetic sport, but an amazing comprehensive workout for our body and brain. The training excellently strengthens the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, develops coordination, balance, and reaction speed. Moreover, the need to constantly analyze the opponent’s actions and make quick decisions stimulates brain neuroplasticity, helping to maintain mental clarity and excellent memory for many years. Constant movement, mastering new skills, and positive emotions are the best and most accessible recipe for active longevity,” shared Anna Efimova, Chief Physician of City Polyclinic No. 109.
Training system in the capital
The Moscow School of Fencing is among the leading ones in Russia. To date, 1165 athletes hold sports ranks, of whom 54 are masters of sport, 15 are international masters of sport, and four have been awarded the title of Honored Master of Sport.
The city of Moscow’s fencing team for 2026 includes 363 athletes. The sports national teams of the Russian Federation include 103 Moscow fencers, which constitutes 24 percent of the total members of the national team.
In 2026, 116 official fencing competitions and events are planned in Moscow.
Athletes’ achievements
The year 2026 has already brought impressive successes to Moscow fencers. At the Russian championships, the capital’s athletes won 18 medals: six gold, two silver, and ten bronze. At the European championships, Muscovites stood on the podium five times, winning four gold and one bronze medal.
The June European Championship in France brought several bright victories to the capital’s athletes. Vladislava Penyushkina, a graduate of the sports association “Youth of Moscow,” won a bronze medal in the individual foil competition. The Russian sabre fencers, among whom were representatives of the capital’s school, became European champions. This result can be called a triumph of Moscow fencing.
How to take the first step
In order to start practicing this sport, a child must undergo comprehensive testing to determine aptitude, and then take entrance exams at one of the capital’s sports schools. You can register for them through the portal “Moscow Sport”.
According to the recommendations of specialized federations, it is best to start fencing lessons at the age of eight. At this age, a child already has a developed musculoskeletal system, possesses the necessary level of coordination, and is capable of understanding complex tactical schemes. This age is also considered optimal for beginning targeted preparation for admission to a specialized sports school.
Admission to fencing sports schools is conducted on a competitive basis based on entrance examinations, during which overall physical fitness, coordination, and psychological readiness are assessed. At the same time, a child’s predisposition to fencing or another sport can be determined much earlier using modern comprehensive testing.
Comprehensive testing of children
A unique sports orientation methodology operates in Moscow, developed based on domestic scientific approaches. Comprehensive testing allows for an objective assessment of more than 50 indicators of a child’s development: psychophysiological characteristics, anthropometric data, as well as the level of physical qualities development.
Testing is conducted at centers in Moscow and takes less than two hours. The methodology is designed for children aged 5.5 to 12 years and is effective both for beginners and those already engaged in sports. After the diagnostics, parents receive personalized recommendations with a detailed interpretation of the results: which sports are suitable for the child, what to pay attention to, and why these particular directions were chosen. This helps reduce the search time and start training with an understanding of the child’s natural talents and potential.
Chess at speed
Fencing is not called chess at speed without reason: this sport develops not only physical strength but also tactical thinking and quick reaction. Fencing is not just a duel of blades but the skill of anticipating the opponent’s actions. For children, this sport becomes an effective tool for the harmonious development of intellect, character, and physical fitness.
Regular training develops coordination, a sense of balance, forms correct posture and ease of movement. In addition, fencing exercises train reaction speed and peripheral vision, and the need to instantly respond to the opponent’s actions strengthens the nervous system.
Fencing training strengthens not only the body but also character. Emotional resilience, the ability to control oneself and respect an opponent are qualities useful in any sphere of life. Fencing is rightfully considered a sport for gentlemen, as it cultivates discipline, nobility, and culture.
The implemented measures correspond to the goals of the state program of the Russian Federation “Development of Physical Culture and Sports”, a national project “Sport of Russia” and information campaigns “Motivation for Sports Participation and Promotion of Sports Infrastructure.” More about Russia’s national projects and the capital’s contribution can be found at special page.
Learn how the capital has changed over the past years, what initiatives aimed at making city dwellers’ lives even more comfortable are currently being implemented, and what awaits Moscow and its residents in the near future in the large-scale special project on the mos.ru portal, dedicated to the development of key sectors of the metropolis. Among them are transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and the construction sector.
On the project page “Sport” Information is presented about the reconstruction of dozens of historical sports facilities, including the Olympic complex “Luzhniki,” the ski complex “Vorobyovy Gory,” and the equestrian complex “Bitsa,” as well as about sports infrastructure accessible to every city resident.
Get the latest main news promptly in the official channels of the city of Moscow on messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
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