Fencing
Wheelchair Fencing
Fencing at Stoke Mandeville, 1956
film still: Wheelpower
Watch archive film footage of wheelchair fencing at the 1956 Stoke Mandeville International Games here
Sally Haynes took up fencing in 1964 and won gold at the 1968 Tel Aviv games
"It's not just physical, this sport, it's a mental thing, out-manoeuvring people with the moves you're going to make; and being in a wheelchair you actually use your finger play, wrist movements and arm-defence faster than an able-bodied fencer."
Watch Sally talking about how she trained herself as a fencer here
Terry Willett fenced in the 1970s and 1980s
Terry, with his back to camera, fighting at the 1972 Heidelberg games
film still: Wheelpower
"I think because I was a bit of a rough diamond and quite capable of taking care of myself, fencing just appealed to me because it was basically two individuals fighting. You have to abide by the rules, but you're literally fighting and you really want to - not hurt your opponent - but you want to hit them."
Watch Terry talking about the importance of fencing to him; this clip includes footage of him fighting at Heidelberg in 1972 here
This page was added on 13/11/2013.