At the Brooklyn Fencing Center in Carroll Gardens, one of a dozen such centers in New York City, fencers keep the ancient dueling sport alive and fighting. NY1’s Roger Clark filed the following report.

At the Brooklyn Fencing Center in Carroll Gardens, fencers keep the ancient battle sport alive and fighting.

"You get to hit people with swords and they shake your hand and thank you afterwards. Not a lot of hobbies you get to do that in," said fencer Murphy Gagliotti.

Of course, fencers do not use real swords — their weapons are called foils, and are a lighter and more flexible version. The basic object of the game is to get as many touches on your opponent as possible with the tip of the foil.

"In order to do that, you need to move your legs a lot, and you need to have a very fast reaction time," said Rolando Balboa, director of the Brooklyn Fencing Center.

"You have an action, and you just need to work on it and refine it, so that you can use it to hit the other person," said fencer Max Ingraham-Rakatansky.

But the sport is easier said than done. When reporter Roger Clark tried the sport after a quick training session, he got far less touches than his opponent.

Those who participate in the sport say it is not only fun, but also a great workout.

"For your legs and lower leg muscles, it's very intense and very difficult, arm muscles too," said fencer Aaron Martin.

"It's very good for your health, keeps you in shape - and who doesn't like poking people?" said fencer Hillary Cohen.

Fencers also say the sport gives them great focus.

"I really like everything about it, I mean it's the whole mental, physical interaction that really appeals to me."

For a sport in which people don archaic-looking masks, vests, and hose, modern players find themselves drawn to the sport.

"Fencing is one of those sports where whenever you see it, it really peaks your curiosity. I mean, no one really knows much about it, and once you try it, it's one of those things that hooks you right from the start," said fencer Dennis Liaw.

- Dennis Liaw