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Fencing
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Fencing is a sport of
skill, strategy and finesse. A few centuries ago in Europe, disputes
were often settled by dueling with swords. Fencing was a way for
individuals to prepare for these encounters. After dueling was
outlawed, fencing grew in popularity as a sport of its own. It was
chosen to be included in the first modern Olympics in 1896, and has
been part of the games ever since.
The sport of fencing is fast and athletic, and
performed on a 6 by 44 foot strip. The movements are so fast that
touches with the weapon are scored electrically. The three weapons
of fencing are the foil, the sabre, and the épée (French for
"sword").
Fencing has a rich history of chivalry and good
sportsmanship. Every bout begins with a salute of respect and ends
with a handshake of gratitude. It is known as a gentleman's sport.
Bobby and Johnny with their fencing teacher.
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Bobby with his foil
The boys did a fencing exhibition on the Mickey Mouse Club in 1955. |
Their father, Robert Crawford, Sr. was a champion fencer in
Southern California.
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16 Magazine - March 1964
"I'd like to mention Bobby's main
hobby of the moment -- fencing. He's become an expert with the foil,
sabre and epee, is on the UCLA team and regularly winds up in the
winner's circle in college meets. I'm delighted at his choice of
sport, since fencing has always been a particular favorite of mine.
For kicks, not too long ago, Bobby and I teamed up in a contest and
walked away with the number two ribbon."
~Robert Crawford, Sr. |
| Newsletter - 1966
"I don't know if you've heard, but Bobby won the Western
Intercollegiate Saber Championship two months ago and was voted
UCLA's "most valuable fencer." He'll be in New York to compete in
the National Finals. I'm sure proud of him."
~Johnny
Crawford |
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Bobby qualified for the
National Championship matches and competed in the foil match and the
team sabre match in Santa Monica, CA in 1967. |
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