When you think of fencing, you probably picture scenes from movies like “Zorro,” “The Princess Bride,” or “Pirates of the Caribbean” — swords clashing and swordsmen darting back and forth.
But have you ever imagined what it would be like to fence while sitting down?
Garrett Schoonover started parafencing about four years ago, in his early 30s.
Despite his late start, he quickly became extremely skilled in the sport, leading him to eventually compete in the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
“I basically get to meet up with my friends around the world in cool places and play our favorite game,” Schoonover said.
In parafencing, athletes compete while seated in wheelchairs that are strapped to a stable platform.
The format and rules are similar to standing fencing, with rounds of pools and direct elimination, except the athletes can’t move forward or backward. Instead, they lunge, retreat and strike using core strength, tactics and speed.
“Here in the U.S., we have a growing population, but it's still relatively small. I think we have roughly, I think, 48,000 members across the U.S.,” USA Parafencing Coach Eric Soyka said. “As the sport grows, I think that might change in time.”
Schoonover had to have his leg amputated after a motorcycle accident when he was 27.
At the time, he was getting his masters in vocal performance at UCLA, was part of the California National guard and was a bodybuilder.
“I joke that I can't sit still,” Schoonover said.
Following the accident, life ended up taking a different path than he had previously planned.
He has since moved back to Utah and works for a prosthetic provider.
It was there that he was first told by someone he worked with that he should try parafencing.
“When I first started, Utah Fencing Foundation welcomed me with open arms almost immediately,” he said.
The parafencing community has become a sort of family to Schoonover.
“That's really been an anchor point even in the times when I've been injured or haven't necessarily had the drive or I've had other things going on in my life that are pulling on my bandwidth,” he said. “Coming back to this community recharges my battery.”
Parafencing has become an outlet for him to just have fun and get excited.
His goal moving forward is to qualify for the L.A. 2028 Paralympics.
“I want to show up on piste, and whoever is across from me goes, ‘dang, I have to fight that guy. I don't want to do that,'” Schoonover said.
After the 2028 games, he hopes to start medical school.
Though this will most likely not leave him with enough time to work towards the 2032 Paralympics, he hopes to continue attending fencing competitions both nationally and internationally.
Those interested in supporting disabled athletes can donate to the Challenged Athletes Foundation or the Utah Fencing Foundation.