Fencers feel the force with light sabres

The Acad­émie de Sabre Laser, run under the FFE fencing federation is the first in the world to recognise the Star Wars spin-off. It has 1,200 fencers in 90 clubs, most of whom are new to the sport.

Although the FFE said film sword fights always brought in new members, light sabre organiser Michel Ortiz said it “brought in new blood from a completely different leisure culture. People really got involved”.

LED-lit sabres are made from rigid polycarbonate.