The outstanding fencer Inés Luaces Sánchez, a Stomatology student at the University of Havana, was 21 years old when the CU-455 aircraft perversely exploded in mid-flight on October 6th, 1976.
Her mother, Inés Sánchez Salazar, could not hug her daughter, winner of the gold medal at the IV Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championship, held in the Venezuelan city of Caracas.
How did fencing come to Cuba?
In Egypt, 3000 B.C, it was already practiced with very high-quality and heavy edged weapons, including masks and special equipment. There were also records in Japan, Ancient Greece, China, India, and Rome.
During the Middle Ages, aristocratic people became skilled in handling weapons. The poor took spears and sticks to participate in amateur battles.
In 15th century Renaissance Europe, it is incorporated as sports art. In Great Britain, Germany and Spain; then began a refinement of the sport in question.
Components
Weapons:
-The Foil, developed during the 17th century as a light combat training weapon.
-The saber is derived from the weapon used by cavalry soldiers. It has a bowl-shaped guard, which curves under the hand, and a rectangular blade in cross section.
-The sword derives from the French sprat, which in turn comes from the dueling swords of the 17th century.
The suit or uniform of the fencer are:
-Mask, helmet that protects the athlete from suffering head injuries, has a grid on the front to be able to see the rival
-Jacket, is a protective jacket that totally or partially covers the fencer, this normally bears the name of the competitor on the back.
-Glove, it is an additional protection for the dominant hand of the fencer, they are mandatory for official competitions.
-Peto, this piece of equipment is worn under the jacket and can be made of plastic or fabric, however, the fabric is mandatory in competitions.
-Pants, come to the middle of the knee and are made of a thick and firm fabric, occasionally with straps for better support.
-Stockings, reach from the foot to the knee.
-Body-cord, it is the cable that connects the athlete with the electronics of the track.
Fencing in Cuba and the link between Ignacio Agramonte and the beginnings of this sport
The Italian Galleti introduced Fencing in Cuba in the 1840s. He was part of the orchestra of an opera company located in the Tacón Theatre. In Havana, he founded the weapons room of the Normal Gymnasium and taught classes in the Circle of Shooters. The French fencing school on the island was practiced by Ignacio Agramonte, among others. It was also promoted in the premises of the Gymnastic Club and the Military Circle.
Other sources reveal that the priest from Santiago, Juan Bernardo O’Gavan Guerra, was the first to speak in Cuba of the need to establish fencing education on modern physiological models. He stated to study by the Pestalozzi gymnastic system.
Consequently, in 1839, Dr. José de Castro founded the Normal gymnasium (this man was a disciple of Francisco Amorós in France for three years), installed on the corner of Consulado and Virtudes streets, currently where the Musical Theater of the Havana is located.
The creation of this gymnasium is due to two fundamental factors: recommendations and official efforts by Father O’Gavan and the arrival in Cuba of three distinguished gymnasts and athletes: Rafael and Francisco de Castro (swimmers, gymnasts and fencers) and Ernesto Aurelio (notable hunter and rider).
Exponential development
After January 1st, 1959, a profound transformation began in the socioeconomic order in the country, and sport was not left out. With the creation of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER, by its acronym in Spanish) in 1961, the preparation of physical education teachers and coaches proliferated. Thus, a large number of activists arose who, together with the coaches, would train the fencers who then participated in the competitions of the country and beyond the seas.
The crime…
In 1976, all the gold medals of the IV Central American and Caribbean Championship were won by Cuban junior fencers. The family hug was pending forever. The honor of the gold medal detonated the sinister.
Bibliography
Crispín Castellanos, Douglas (2007) Desarrollo deportivo cubano antes de 1959 en https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263845077/ _
Urbina Gaitán, Chester (2018) La actividad deportiva, sociabilidad e identidades en Cuba en el periódico El Sport (1886-1888) en Repertorio Americano. Segunda nueva época N° 28, enero-diciembre.
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
