As one of two Paralympic combat sports, wheelchair fencing is a blend of mental agility, speed, and tactical finesse. In 1960, the world would observe the first Paralympic competition at the Summer Olympics in Rome. Since then, adaptive sports have grown in accessibility and visibility and are now practiced in 34 countries.
In the spirit of bringing the sport of fencing to all, Utah Fencing Foundation (UFF) was established in 2014 as a 501c3 educational organization by Konstantin Gritsaev. A few years later, UFF partnered with Utah Swords Academy Fencing Club to develop a program specifically for parafencers.
Today, UFF is part of the Utah and southern Idaho U.S. Fencing division, and provides professional coaching, equipment, and parafencing demonstrations. Because of the important work that UFF does, students with locomotor disabilities are learning and experiencing the wonderful sport of fencing.
UFF actively seeks out under-resourced communities, schools, and organizations to partner with. If you would like to become a sponsor, host a demonstration, or find out more about how to start your parafencing journey, please contact us through our facebook page, email, or give us a call at 801-278-3568. All donations are tax-deductible and are accepted through PayPal, or Venmo and go towards equipment purchase, fees, and facility development.
"Fencing is a game of living chess, a match where reflexes only work in combination with intent, and mind and body must work together at every moment."
Parafencer
Club: Salt City Swords / 2021 Bronze medal in men's epee, NAC Salt Lake City, UT. Also battled perennial gold medalist and prior world champion Tareq. Alqallaf.
Olympic Parafencer
Club: Valykries Fencing / 2020 Tokyo Paralympian, MultiNational Champion with gold medals in epee, foil, and sabre - NAC Salt Lake City, UT / Charlotte, NC. Silver medal sabre at Saskatoon, Canada. Bronze medal in Under 23 female epee at Sharjah, UAE World Championships.
Parafencer
Club: Salt City Swords / 2022 World Cup "Szabla Kilinskiego", Warsaw, Poland. Bronze medals in sabre, foil, and epee male individual at NAC Charlotte, NC.
Director and Trainer
Bill brings his valuable experience in training parafencing students and coordinating tournaments to UFF
Accessible Yoga and
Nutrition Advisor
Stacey advises students on accessible yoga and nutrition for increased energy, flexibility, and peace of mind.
Parafencing Coach
Brandon teaches parafencing form, strategy, and tactics to ensure students are performing to the best of their ability.
Treasurer and Coordinator
Mom to paralympian Shelby Jensen. Sheri helps with tournament travel logistics, administration, registration, and fees.
During Tuesday’s opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics, the words “#WeThe15” at one point lit up the floor of Tokyo Olympic Stadium. . .
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