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When did fencing become an organized competitive sport?
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fencing
Giovanna Trillini (rear) of Italy successfully defending her world champion foil title against Wang Huifeng of China at the 1992 Olympics.
Although the use of swords dates back to prehistoric times, fencing as an organized competitive sport began only at the end of the 19th century.1
During the 1880s, the French fencing master Camille Prévost collected and established the basic conventions of the sport. This period also saw the emergence of officially recognized fencing associations, such as the Amateur Fencers League of America, founded in 1891. By the late 19th century, fencing had gained enough structure to be included in the Olympic Games upon their revival in 1896.23