Di Claudia Cencini
Foto di Alberto Bravini
Within Terni lies a small, green oasis—a place that preserves an extraordinary sporting history and stands as one of the region’s crown jewels. The first reason is that it has just celebrated 80 years of sporting successes and international competitive achievements. It’s not a stadium, but the Circolo Scherma Terni fencing hall, located in Via Guido Mirimao 1, nestled in a setting that feels more like a resort: a welcoming entrance, meticulously maintained green spaces, and a small natural oasis where you can feel right at home—just a stone’s throw from downtown. One glance is enough to see that nothing here is left to chance.
Why Take Up Fencing Today?
Because it is a timeless sport, rooted in a glorious tradition and capable not only of training the body but also of building character. Fencing is a “state of mind,” a school of discipline, concentration, and respect. Not everyone knows that it is the sport that has earned Italy the most Olympic medals.
For many years, fencing was mistakenly considered a sport reserved for the few or associated with an elite image. Today, this stereotype has largely been dispelled. “We’re not a sport for the few,” explain members of the Terni club. “Fencing, at least in the first two years, costs about the same as soccer or tennis. Anyone who compares it, in terms of expenses, to horseback riding is mistaken.” Purchasing a quality blade or a high-quality fiber uniform does indeed involve a significant initial expense, but these are materials designed to last the athlete for many years. Furthermore, during the initial phase of training, most of the equipment—including blades and gear—is provided directly by the club.
The trend in enrollment also demonstrates just how open and accessible fencing has become: every year, the number of boys and girls who enthusiastically choose to take up this sport—one with ancient roots yet capable of speaking a modern language to new generations—continues to grow.
A History of Victorious Thrusts
The Terni Fencing Club was founded in 1946, in the postwar period, amid a spirit of renewal, but the city’s fencing tradition has much deeper roots. Renaissance chronicles mention the name of a skilled swordsman from Terni, Ludovico Aminale, who was counted among the thirteen knights chosen to defend the nation’s honor in the famous Challenge of Barletta in 1503. It would take four centuries before another native of Terni, Augusto Mezzetti—a fencing master among Garibaldi’s troops—proposed to the city’s mayor in 1886 the establishment of a fencing school, a request endorsed by over four thousand citizens, a remarkable feat for the time. The city council approved the proposal on October 15, 1886. Thus, Terni’s first fencing school was born. The two world wars brought everything to a standstill until the club was reborn from the rubble of war thanks to a group of courageous advocates: Guido Paoloni as president, Dante Galante and Lorenzo Giardini as technical directors, with the invaluable contribution of Waro Ascenzioni—the man after whom the club is still named today—who, with foresight and passion, took the club’s fate into his own hands and brought it back to life.
In the 1960s, the club achieved significant milestones with fencers from Terni, who rose to the top of the national rankings, but the most important milestone took place on June 21, 1969: the inauguration of the Palazzetto della Scherma, designed by architect Maioli—the realization of a dream and much more than just a gym: a second home.
The Art of Growing Up
Foil, épée, and sabre—a trio embodying a blend of values. Fencing helps you grow, builds character, and teaches respect for your opponent; in a word, it is more than just a sport. Practiced from childhood, whether at a competitive or recreational level, it is a life lesson helping shape one’s character, overcome fear of others, and increase self-control—while also teaching how to lose and, above all, how to get back up.
Anyone wishing to explore this world, rich in history and charm, will find an atmosphere capable of magically influencing other cultural and artistic fields as well—such as cinema and literature throughout the ages. Here, you’ll be greeted by a dynamic and close-knit team led by the board of directors under President Alberto Tiberi—who has been firmly at the helm of the club for years—and by a large group of volunteers who gather daily at the arena, making it increasingly vibrant and appealing.
“In our club,” says Tiberi, “you can hear the sound of blades clashing—it’s a light, almost musical sound that, for thousands of children, has marked the beginning of a journey filled with excitement, play, friendship, but above all, personal and athletic growth.”
Yes, because even though fencing is an individual sport, you’re not alone; you compete together in a constant exchange with your opponent—metaphorically, your own alter ego.
Building on its prestigious history, the club continues to grow with its sights set on the future. This is why the 2026/2027 Fencing Recruiting Drive was launched—an invitation to all children and their families to discover one of the most well-rounded, educational, and fascinating sports. With programs tailored to different age groups and free trial periods, the club once again opens its doors to anyone wishing to embark on this adventure.
Terni, a breeding ground for champions
The Terni Fencing Club has been home to Olympic champions and has trained many more. Promising young athletes, who took their first steps in the world of fencing, saw their talent blossom here. One of them is Alessio Foconi, born in 1989, a fencer specializing in foil and a leading figure in the world of fencing. You could say Alessio is right at home here; from a very young age, he would accompany his father, who was a member of the club, and as an adult, while serving in the Italian Air Force, he trained there—which is how his connection to Terni began. His titles are too numerous to count: individual foil world champion in 2018, European champion the following year, four-time Italian champion, winner of three editions of the World Cup in his specialty, and silver medalist at the most recent 2024 Paris Olympics. A star of great achievements as a fencer with a heart of gold, his true strength lies in his fundamental humanity, combined with a humble and determined temperament that has carried him to the pinnacle of world fencing.
In addition to Foconi, multiple champion Valentina Vezzali also maintains a strong connection with the Circolo Scherma Terni, where she trained under the legendary coach Giulio Tommassini, who was instrumental in the development of foil fencing at the Terni club. More recently, she has returned to represent the club at major events, serving as a spokesperson and host of the opening ceremony of the World Championships. These are big names that enrich the Terni club’s list of achievements, but their legacy extends beyond medals, because beyond the trophies, it is the people who matter—and who remain!
When the World Came to Terni
In October 2023, for one week, the eyes of the global fencing community were on Terni. The new PalaTerni hosted the Paralympic Fencing World Championships, featuring hundreds of athletes from every continent, thousands of spectators, and international media coverage. For the organisers, “being awarded the event was recognition of the work carried out by the club over decades of activity and of its organisational capabilities.” The bid proposal estimated approximately 30,000 attendees and significant economic and tourism benefits for the entire Umbrian region. It was not merely a sporting event. It was an international seal of approval crowning a story that began many years earlier—proof that a club founded in the heart of Umbria could successfully organise one of the flagship events on the global fencing scene.”
A Record-Breaking Stamp
To celebrate that World Championship, a special stamp issue was created, dedicated to the event and included in the national program of sporting events. It is a unique piece—the only stamp in the series to clearly feature the word “Terni.” The stamp features Arnaldo Pomodoro’s “Lancia di Luce” (Spear of Light)—a symbol of the city—a Paralympic fencer in a wheelchair, and the Palazzo della Fondazione Carit, symbolizing the unbreakable bond between sports, the local area, and the community. The stamp’s design pays tribute to the host city, the athletes, and everyone who contributed to the World Championships’ success. A small rectangle of paper destined to travel through time. Just like the club, which has now rightfully become a part of the city’s history.
Work in progress
President Alberto Tiberi fully embodies the positive and proactive spirit of the club he leads. He has the makings of a leader: tireless, he moves effortlessly from one project to the next without ever losing sight of the goal. He always has everything under control, and the results are proof of his consistent hard work.
There are sports organizations that could be based anywhere, and others that end up reflecting the character of the city that hosts them. The Terni Fencing Club undoubtedly belongs to the latter category. Terni is the city of St. Valentine, historic architecture, and the Lancia di Luce; of the Marmore Falls and the Nera Park—but it is also the city of energy, steel, and labor, elements that have shaped its identity. In this context, fencing seems to find its natural place: a discipline that combines metal and precision, speed and control, rigor and elegance.
Building on its tradition, the Club continues today to invest in its development through significant and concrete initiatives. Among the most significant projects is a major plan to renovate the facility with an emphasis on environmental sustainability, as Board Member Piero Sapora explains: “Thanks to the City and the Carit Foundation, we have launched a modernization initiative—already underway—that includes a major energy efficiency upgrade, based on the adoption of heat pumps and the installation of a solar power system. This investment combines innovation, sustainability, and environmental responsibility, making the club even more modern and efficient.”
School of Life
The activities of the Terni Fencing Club extend beyond the purely athletic environment. It organizes camps and events and introduces its members to the philosophy of the “champion” as a human being. The message—that you can only excel in sports if you are a person of character—is, in a way, the guiding principle underlying the club and the foundation upon which its organizational structure is built. This structure alternates traditional fencing courses with other educational and social activities, such as the recently concluded camp. A week packed with events… and what a week it was! “We experienced days filled with smiles, fun, and new emotions,” explain the organisers. “Every day, our children made new friends, shared experiences, and created memories they’ll carry with them. Through the theater workshop, they’re learning to understand themselves better and give voice to their emotions, transforming imagination and creativity into little masterpieces.” And of course, sports were a must, ranging from a playful reimagining of “Games Without Borders” to team challenges and the ever-popular Friday Olympics. Every moment was an opportunity to have fun, participate, and step up to the challenge.”
The Power of Dreams
Today, the goal of the Circolo Scherma Terni is to broaden its horizons and go beyond the borders of the Umbrian capital to raise awareness of its activities on an international scale. This is a natural milestone for an organisation that has just celebrated its 80th anniversary and is, right now, preparing to embark on a new phase of growth. Throughout this long journey, technologies, teaching methods, and even the weapons have changed, but the spirit has remained unchanged, passed down from generation to generation: to grow as athletes and as people.
“We believe it’s important to raise our profile, to share with an ever-wider audience what we do and how we do it.” This path is built on results, reflecting the club’s determination to continue growing even beyond its own borders.
Every day, the doors of the “Waro Ascenzioni” Sports Hall open to welcome new dreams. It is a story that is constantly renewing itself, ready to write new chapters.
“Perhaps, just as you’re reading these lines,” the president imagines, “a seven-year-old girl is looking curiously at the cover photo of this magazine. Perhaps she’ll ask her parents, ‘Can I try it, too?’ If that happens, a tradition rooted in over five centuries of history will continue once again.”
At the club’s gate, some arrive holding their mother’s hand, others look curiously at the fencing pistes, and still others wear a mask that’s too big for their face and smile. No one can know if that child will become a champion. What is certain is that, from that day on, they will begin to learn something that goes beyond fencing: respect, discipline, and courage. This is the club’s most precious legacy, built from a young age, thrust after thrust.
Today, just as in 1946, the future of the Circolo Scherma Terni always has the same face: that of a child entering the gym with a dream in their eyes.
Info: Circolo Scherma Terni Waro Ascenzioni, Via Guido Mirimao 1, Terni / Tel. 0744 404411 / 320 0634095 / info@circoloschermaterni.it / www.circoloschermaterni.it
