SPEAKER: Charles Johnson
TOPIC: “Olympic Fencing, History and Traditions and a Fencing Demonstration”

En-garde!  

Two female fencers, members of the SW Florida Fencing Academy, will demonstrate Olympic Foil Fencing following Charles Johnson’s presentation. The foil was used in France as a training weapon in the middle of the 18th century in order to practice fast and elegant thrust fencing. Both fencers have been fencing for 12 years. Enjoy!

Overview

Coach Johnson will speak on the History and Traditions of the sword. Its development from the bronze age, as an implement of war to its development into the Olympic Sport of Fencing.

Biography

Charles Johnson, Coach SW Florida fencing Academy Charles Johnson became involved with the sport of fencing in 1984 at the age of 34 and has participated as a competitor, instructor and organizer. Competing from 1985 to 1995 he has participated in numerous local and national competitions. He has served as chair, secretary and treasurer of the Central Florida Division at different times during his 38 year fencing career, and has been a member of the executive committee of that organization. In 1989 he assisted with the Junior Olympics in Orlando. In 1990 he assisted with the National Championships in Orlando. In 1993 he was instrumental in bringing the National Championships to the Fort Myers Harborside Convention Center. Coach Johnson started teaching and coaching in 1994 and has coached some of Florida’s top fencers. In 2000 and 2005 he assisted with the World Veteran’s Championships, both held in Tampa. In 2016 he became involved with the United States fencing Association Para Fencing program and in 2019 he traveled to South Korea with the US Team for the World Wheel Chair Fencing Championships. In 2021 Terry Hayes, Coach Johnson’s Para Fencer represented the United States in The Paralympics Games in Tokyo.