Fencing Poised For Major Breakout At Olympics With New Technology That Looks Like A Lightsaber Battle

Fencing is going to be one of the most popular sports at the Olympics in 2028. A new technology used to track the movement of the sword tip makes each bout look more like a Star Wars lightsaber battle.

It takes the viewing experience to the next level.

This sword tip tracking system will bring a new lift to fencing as it continues to grow. The sport will be much easier to follow.

What is Fencing Visualized?

Everybody is familiar with the sport of fencing. One of the oldest sports in the world was first played at some point between the 17th and 19th centuries. Likely closer to the former than the latter, if not earlier. It is virtually impossible to establish a singular date of the first-ever official sword fight in history.

However, the modern sport as we know it really started to gain prominence at the end of the 19th century when word fighting and the practice of swordsmanship evolved into an actual competition defined by a specific set of rules.

Although fencing is something that everybody knows, most people do not understand the rules. The average person is not familiar with the intricacies of scoring or technique. Very few casual observers are able to explain what goes on during a bout. They just know it looks cool.

That is where ‘Fencing Visualized’ comes into the equation.

A group of Japanese engineers worked in partnership with Yuki Ota to create a new technology for the viewers at home. Ota is Japan’s first fencing Olympic medalist.

The project helps the viewing audience to intuitively comprehend the rules and techniques involved during fencing competition. It utilizes motion capture and AR technologies to visualize the movement of the tip of the sword and to instantly transform techniques that are performed during a match into icons.

The new technology looks like a lightsaber battle.

To put all of that technological mumbo jumbo more simply, Fencing Visualized puts a real-time color sensor on the end of the sword tip. As the sword moves, so does the sensor.

It’s kind of of like the old “You’re Watching Disney Channel” commercials.

This is going to change the entire sport. Don’t get me wrong, it was awesome to watch Team USA win its first-ever gold medal in team fencing at the Olympics in Paris.