Growing up in the suburbs of Paris, Sébastien Bérard began fencing at the age of five and continued until he was 22. After stepping away from fencing, he took up marathon running but soon sought a sport with more structure. Considering options like canne de combat, a martial art using wooden canes, he stumbled upon a podcast discussing plans to create a fighting sport with lightsabers. 'I thought: I’m a geek. I like Star Wars. I’ve done fencing. Let’s try it,' he recalls.
That was a decade ago, and Bérard has never looked back. In 2019, the French Fencing Federation officially recognised lightsaber duelling as a sport, leading to the formation of clubs in major cities. The Paris club alone boasts around 150 members. While many participants are familiar with Star Wars, they are not necessarily hardcore fans; they are drawn to the fun and unique nature of the activity. 'We are fighting with lightsabers; we cannot take ourselves too seriously,' Bérard explains.
A Sport of Precision, Not Power
Unlike combat sports such as boxing, lightsaber duelling emphasises precision over strength. The goal is to touch rather than overpower an opponent. It is a mixed-gender sport that lacks the aggression often associated with martial arts. 'Aggression is not a good strategy. You need to defend yourself before being able to attack,' Bérard notes. Points are lost when struck by an opponent's lightsaber, making it highly strategic.
Some participants enjoy theatrical displays, wearing elaborate costumes and spinning their sabers like in the movies. However, Bérard warns that such showmanship leads to defeat. 'If you turn your back to your opponent, you will take a strike. Unfortunately, we don’t have the force like in the films,' he says with a smile.
Equipment and Competitions
Lightsabers are available from specialised stores, with blades made of polycarbonate. While regulations govern length and weight, fighters can customise their sabers. Bérard uses a custom 3D-printed design with specialised grips for better control. Competitions range from regional events with 40-50 fighters to the French Open, which attracts up to 500 spectators and 90 participants from across Europe. Bérard has won approximately 40 tournaments, keeping the most significant medals in his office and giving the rest to his children.
Although there is no official world ranking, Bérard has been the top-ranked player in Europe for as long as he can remember. He attributes his success to his fencing background and rigorous training. 'The more the sport evolves, the higher the level gets. Today, if you take the top eight fighters, there is not a single easy match,' he says. Despite the competition, camaraderie prevails, with many fighters training together and forming a tight-knit community.
Giving Back and Looking Ahead
Bérard works in the foreign exchange market and does not keep his prize money. For smaller winnings of a few hundred euros, he buys drinks for everyone after competitions. Any prize exceeding €1,000 is donated back to the sport. 'I’d rather the money be invested back in the sport,' he explains. The sport continues to grow, with clubs emerging worldwide and tournaments being livestreamed to thousands of viewers. Even Bérard's colleagues have started attending events to support him.
Reflecting on his journey, Bérard marvels at how his early fencing lessons led him to become Europe's lightsaber champion. 'It might look a bit silly to some, but it’s skilful, fun and a sport like no other,' he concludes.
