Fencing in Slovakia up to 1945

Abstract

The author focuses on the development of fencing in Slovakia until 1945, emphasizing the organization, development and results of the most important national event which was the Slovak Championships. Fencing had its organizational base in Slovakia even before the establishment of Czechoslovakia. In the new state, the organization of this branch was taken over by the Czech Fencing Association which changed its name based on the new conditions and began to transfer its activities to the eastern parts of the country. The non-application of the national principle in the organization of fencing proved to be a progressive element, especially in Slovakia, which helped the dynamic development. Although even in fencing, the clubs had ethnic character. This statement can be documented not only at clubs such as Kassai Atletikai Club a Polgári Torna Egyesület which were clubs of the Hungarian national minority but also in the case of the Jewish minority which had a separate fencing department at ŠK Makabea Bratislava. The dynamic growth of fencing can be documented by the growing number of disciplines as well as categories at the Slovak Championships. The result of organizational efforts in Slovakia was the award of the world championships in 1938 to the city of Piešťany which after Košice and Bratislava became the most important center of sporting events in Slovakia. After 1939, it was not possible for a long time to start the activities of the SŠS which existed only formally and only in 1943 on the initiative of pplk. pech. J. Benedik managed to resume its activity.