Welcome to the 21st-century, where a widespread pandemic afflicts society at an alarming rate. The pandemic? A sedentary lifestyle.
In the age of Netflix and great video-games, the temptation to sit around and collect dust is all too real.
France has found a way to fight the dark side of sedentariness (or is it sedentarianism?) by recognizing lightsaber dueling as a competitive sport. The French Fencing Federation acknowledges that lightsaber combat is sweat-inducing and physically demanding.
The federation is currently equipping fencing clubs with lightsaber replicas (complete with LED lights!) and training the first generation of Jedi mentors. The Associated Press states that:
“In the past, the likes of Zorro, Robin Hood and The Three Musketeers helped lure new practitioners to fencing. Now, joining and even supplanting them are Luke Skywalker , Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader.”
AP
But why, you ask?
The French Fencing Federation hopes to motivate a younger generation of Star Wars fans to get up and move. According to federation secretary general Serge Aubailly,
“With young people today, it’s a real public health issue. They don’t do any sport and only exercise with their thumbs. It’s becoming difficult to (persuade them to) do a sport that has no connection with getting out of the sofa and playing with one’s thumbs. That is why we are trying to create a bond between our discipline and modern technologies, so participating in a sport feels natural.”
AP
Lightsaber dueling has been slowly picking up steam over the years. One such example is in this lightsaber dueling class offered in San Francisco, California, reported by the Associated Press a few years ago:
The FFF has established a few rules regarding the duels. These rules serve two purposes: to ensure safety for combatants, and to make the dueling easier on viewers’ eyes. As demanding as lightsaber combat is, it is also a spectacle sport. Viewers often have expectations for what duels should look like, based on the films.
All joking aside, the idea of motivating younger generations to break a sweat through beloved franchises like Star Wars is inventive. The concept is in the same vein as Pokémon Go, the app that inspired thousands of us fans to walk out of our homes, rediscover sunlight and mingle with other fans.
What do you think?
Are you planning on owning a lightsaber of your own?
If you enjoy the display artwork, shared again below, it was provided by artist Saifali Saiyed. Check out his work at https://saifalisaiyed.weebly.com/. And, as always, may the force be with you. Always.
