The ideal foil for everyday problems
China Daily | Updated: 2009-02-28 08:14

Fencer Zhong Man surprised the whole nation by winning a gold medal at last year's Olympic Games. It was the first time in 24 years that China had won gold in fencing.
A decade ago, fencing in China was reserved for the privileged because of the expensive equipment but Zhong's success has greatly boosted its popularity and fencing clubs are spreading through Beijing like wildfire.
Although China has a long history of sword fighting, fencing originates from Europe, where rich nobles employed experts to train their sons. For centuries, aristocrats also hired instructors to help them prepare for duels.
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