The Lefty Advantage: Why Left-Handers Excel in Fencing

The Science Behind Left-Handed Dominance in Elite Fencing

Oct 1, 2025 | FencingBuddies Team | 5 min read

Walk into any fencing club, and you'll notice something unusual: there are a lot more left-handers on the strip than you'd expect. While only about 10% of the general population is left-handed, the numbers are much higher in fencing — especially in foil and épée.

But it's not just about being present. A 2025 study published in Royal Society Open Science by Tim Simon, Florian Loffing, and Elisa Frasnelli shows that left-handers are overrepresented at the top levels of competition, meaning the higher you look in the rankings, the more left-handers you'll find. So why does the left side have the edge?

Beyond the "Surprise Factor"

For years, coaches and athletes leaned on the Negative Frequency-Dependent Advantage (NFDA) theory. The logic is simple: because right-handers are less used to facing left-handers, the lefties benefit from surprise.

But here's the problem: At elite levels, fencers face lefties all the time — in training camps, national teams, and major competitions. In fact, the Paris 2024 Olympics saw most medal-winning teams include left-handed athletes specifically to spar against. Familiarity alone can't erase the edge.

The Brain Advantage

That's where the Innate Superiority (IS) hypothesis comes in. Left-handers may have neurological differences that give them subtle but critical advantages.

Right Hemisphere Control

Because the right hemisphere of the brain controls the left hand, and it specializes in visuospatial and spatiotemporal processing, left-handers may process timing, distance, and precision tasks more efficiently.

Dual Hemisphere Recruitment

Studies suggest left-handers recruit both hemispheres more effectively, giving them more flexibility in complex motor tasks.

Critical Timing: In a sport where a fraction of a second determines whether a touch lands, this neurological difference can be decisive.

Not All Weapons Are Equal

Interestingly, the lefty advantage isn't the same across all weapons. Let's break down the differences:

Foil

Clear left-handed dominance at elite levels

High Advantage
Épée

Strong left-handed representation

High Advantage
Sabre

Less pronounced advantage, especially in men's fencing

Moderate Advantage

Sabre's speed and explosive style may level the playing field, leaving less room for the neurological or surprise-based advantages that benefit foilists and épéeists.

What This Means for Coaches and Fencers

For Right-Handed Fencers
  • Training against lefties isn't optional — it's essential
  • Exposure builds familiarity
  • Learn specific tactical adaptations
For Left-Handed Fencers
  • Embrace your handedness — it's a real asset
  • Lean into the advantages
  • Refine your precision and timing

The Bigger Picture

Left-handed athletes' success in fencing isn't just about medals. It also sheds light on how human handedness evolved.

Evolutionary Insight: Some scientists suggest the survival edge left-handers had in combat may explain why this minority trait has persisted throughout history.

Final Touch

At FencingBuddies, we love exploring the science behind the sport. Whether you're lefty or righty, understanding these dynamics helps you train smarter, compete sharper, and appreciate just how fascinating fencing really is.

FencingBuddies Podcast

Check out our latest podcast episode: "The Lefty Advantage" where we explore this fascinating research in detail.

Whether you're left-handed or right-handed, understanding these dynamics can help you develop better strategies and appreciate the complexity of our sport.

Listen to the Podcast