When I was a young lass, I was a fencer. No, not the farming type that wandered around the farm putting up wire and posts to keep stock in a paddock. I mean a swish swish, off with their heads type of fencer. 

So I was shocked to hear a man had won the women's veterans fencing championships in Florida.  

USA Fencing said ...an "important first step toward expanding access to the sport of fencing and creating inclusive and safe spaces that promote equality and fairness for all."

So, just how does this promote equality and fairness for all?

Fairness to all that is, unless of course, you were born a woman. Until the athletes stand up, refuse to compete, or form their own competitions away from these governing bodies, this will not stop.

The sad part is they always talk about fairness. Letting men compete against women is not fair and it disadvantages real women..

Kocab " won" in the Vet Women’s Epee over 14-time champion Marja-Liisa Someroja of Finland in Florida. It is the second time Kocab has  " won " in the 70+ age category. At over 6 foot tall, one could say there was an advantage,as you will discover. 

The headline in the original article 

Transgender female fencer scores world title over 14-time champion

is akin to stating "Freedom-fighting Hamas score victory over Israeli citizens." --- it pushes an extremist narrative instead of reality.

How about this?

"Male defeats Female for World Title in Women's Fencing" 

It is accurate, to the point and does not push an extremist narrative.

🚨Male fencer, Liz Kocab won his 8th Women's World Championship Title this weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida. @FIE_fencing

He became emotional after winning a 4th consecutive Women's World Title as part of his 11th USA Women's World Championship team.🧵

Women's Vet-70 Epee… pic.twitter.com/qwB1UAukXV

— ICONS (@icons_women) October 16, 2023

My love affair with fencing began back in 1969 or thereabouts, when I went to high school. From a quiet country primary school in rural New Zealand, I ended up in a huge high school where my 100 fellow students had turned into nearly 2000. It was a culture shock. And that is an understatement. 

On arrival at my new school, the first thing I was asked to do was sign up for a sport. I had played netball at school and I was never really good at team sports.

My brothers were both champion fencers for my new school, so, with smarty pants attitude and a whole lot of ego, I decided to follow in my brothers' footsteps and become a fencer. 

It became a Saturday morning ritual that my brothers and I would set off to the various fencing tournaments around our area. In our little mini, our bags were full of foils, epees and sabres. We would head off to vanquish the opposition in boys and girls competitions throughout our region. 

The noble art of fencing is a martial art and combat sport that involves the use of bladed weapons, such as foils, épées, and sabres, for the purpose of competitive dueling or sport. Fencing has a rich history, a strong tradition, and is known for its elegance, discipline, and precision. And didn't I know it. 

The term "fencing" is derived from the Old French word "defens," which means defense or protection. Over time, fencing evolved from a martial skill for self-defense into a refined sport and art form. 

There are three primary weapons used in fencing:

• Foil: The foil is a lightweight and flexible weapon with a small, blunt tip. Points are scored by touching the opponent's torso with the tip of the foil. Fencing with the foil emphasizes precision and technique.

• Épée: The épée is a heavier weapon with a stiffer blade. Unlike the foil, touches can be scored anywhere on the opponent's body. Épée fencing places a premium on strategy and quick reflexes.

• Sabre: The sabre has a cutting edge and a thrusting point, and points can be scored by striking the opponent with either. Sabre fencing is the most dynamic and fast-paced of the three, often involving quick, slashing movements.

Redhead, my Mum, was a great follower of our beloved sport. In fact, she wrote about it here once - how she chaperoned a group of fencers from our home to Christchurch to the National Championships. I often think how brave or naive she was to have agreed to be in charge of a group of young teenagers on an overnight train journey. But the fact of the matter is that she was so fierce that no one would have dared to step out of line with the sheriff on board the train. 

Anyway, back to my story. 

I loved fencing. I was never really a team player. I liked the idea that if I won, it was my win. If I lost, it was my loss. I loved the tactics, the strategy, the sheer joy of outwitting my opponent. She may have been more clever with her thrust and parry, but I had a psychological advantage... I was outthinking her. Like a chess game on the move, I fought on my feet and in my head. 

And I did rather well. 

One day, I asked my fencing teacher, Miss M, if there was a reason why I could not have a bout against one of my brothers. After all, fencing is a sport that is about the mind as much as the body. 

Miss M said No. 

My brothers said no. 

I was quite the snippity little upstart in those days and she told me that males have a longer reach. At only 5 foot 3 " I was hardly statuesque. She said that I would never be able to overcome their superior bone structure, height and length of arms. Their muscles were bigger. I would be doomed to lose. She asked me if I wanted to lose, because I was setting myself up for failure. 

I argued that surely my tactical know-how could win the day. The reply was a was a categoric No. 

Needless to say, I never had a bout with either of my brothers. I decided that my fencing teacher was right: I liked winning and setting myself up to fail was simply not part of my nature. 

I went on to become a girl's champion and my brothers both became boy's champions. 

So it was so sad when I read about a transgender winning the women's veteran fencing championship in America.

What is wrong with these people? 

As a young teenage girl, I thought that I could take on the world. But my fencing teacher knew, over 54 years ago, that I could never win against a male. 

My brothers are now in their 70's. 

Both of them could still beat me in a bout. 

They are both capable of striding out on a farm and repair fencing, rolling out the wire and shoving the posts in. 

Could they still " fence"? I doubt it. Neither could I. 

So to my closing thoughts: 

Why do men pretend to be women?

Why do white people claim to be aboriginal?  

Why indeed. 

At this rate, all women's champions will be men and all aboriginals will be white. So much for Equal Rights.