Lightsaber dueling has become an official sport in France

CBS News ^ | February 19, 2019 | Sophie Lewis

[EdnaMode]

The force is getting stronger in France, where the French Fencing Federation has officially recognized lightsaber dueling as a competitive sport. According to The Associated Press, the federation has given the iconic "Star Wars" weapon the same status as the traditional blades — the foil, épée and saber — and competitors can now begin to train like Luke Skywalker.

The LED-lit, rigid polycarbonate lightsaber replicas used in competition won't be able to cut an opponent in half, but they do look, feel and sound pretty similar to George Lucas' version. The federation is now providing lightsabers to fencing clubs and training lightsaber instructors in the ways of the Jedi

[EdnaMode]

Only in France.

[Secret Agent Man]

Its like watching Nero fiddle.

[Rockingham]

And soon to US college campuses, no doubt.

[2banana]

Sharia approved?

[Telepathic Intruder]

A lot of good their fake light sabers will do in the next attack by Islamic terrorists. They’re not even allowed to say “Islamic”.

[coydog]

On the silver lining side, this could be a socially acceptable way to train kids in real swordfighting techniques in public, under the guise of “play”.

[real saxophonist]

Allez!!

Huh?

[Azeem]

“Only in France.”

Not really. There are a lot of groups in the US too. We just had a Jedi group looking for a teacher from our local HEMA groups. I don’t think anyone was interested.

[Sicon]

”Le light sabre, terrible!”

[Telepathic Intruder]

As soon as the government realizes that, they’ll probably ban fake light sabers. Can’t let the masses learn how to fight.

[Bishop_Malachi]

I do sport fencing, and I’m looking to try some historical fencing using real-weight training rapiers...but I draw the line at fantasy weapons.

[yesthatjallen]

By lightsaber they mean hand-held lighted poles they swing at each other like swords.

[GreenLanternCorps]

This is being used to draw kids and teens into fencing by the French fencing organization.

[Azeem]

We practice German Longsword in the same place as the local sport fencing group.

[KarlInOhio]

When I was a pre-teen and teenager we hit each other with golf tubes for similar sensible reasons.

[silverleaf]

Nothing wrong with that

[Crucial]

Unless it can cut off your arm, it really doesn’t count.

[a fool in paradise]

Star Wars Episode IV dueling or Star Wars Episode VIII dueling?

[a fool in paradise]

Horse racing will be changing too (thanks PETA).

[Joe 6-pack]

We would fill wiffle ball bats with sand, wrap them in duct tape, and beat the he’ll out of each other in the woods playing an armed version of Capture the Flag.