Anthony Joslin, right, is shown competing at the Crescent City Open regional tournament in New Orleans.
Submitted photo
No less than twice a week, the third floor of Edinburgh’s venerable Pixy Theatre features its own Maestro.
It’s here that Anthony Joslin, an accomplished fencer for most of his 55 years, teaches students the specifics of the combat sport featuring sword fighting at his own club, Salle des Lutins.
Prospective students need not attempt to unearth Joslin’s qualifications.
On Oct. 22, Joslin, who resides in Trafalgar, competed in the Crescent City Open regional tournament in New Orleans, earning a bronze medal in his division.
Joslin was leading at the halfway point of his semifinal, 5-4, but wound up on the short end of a 10-7 score.
Fencing, a sport dating back centuries, is broken down into three different disciplines — the foil, the epee and the sabre, each utilizing a different type of sword.
The foil, for instance, uses a blunt tip. The epee sword is largest and heaviest of the three swords and is also made for thrusting, while the sabre features a blade, and is made for both thrusting and slashing.
Joslin grew up attending schools in the Indian Creek system, but it was the four months he spent in Osaka, Japan as an exchange student that altered the course of his life.
“I didn’t know I was going to be doing kendo, but the school I attended had it,” Joslin said. “It was awesome. It was very hot. Japan is very warm, and you had to wear all this gear.”
Upon returning to the United States, Joslin moved out west to live with an uncle and aunt on San Francisco’s East Bay.
In 2001, he earned his first coaching credential through the Federation Francais d’Escrime in Paris in the disciplines of foil and sabre. By 2005, Joslin lived in Budapest, Hungary, and was a student at Testnevelesi Egyetem-Semmelweis University and in an intensive program co-sponsored by the International Olympic Committee.
Maestro Joslin holds international diplomas in the instruction of sport (Olympic) fencing, and is an experienced coach in all three weapons. He’s coached numerous fencers to medals in domestic and international competitions, including the U.S. Summer National Championships and Pan American Games.
In 2013, Joslin returned home to Trafalgar, bringing his love of fencing with him.
A little more than a year ago, Maestro Joslin opened Salle des Lutins. Students range in age from 6 to 60 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Pixy Theatre, the latter class being held through Columbus Parks and Recreation.
Joslin also presides over a Thursday afternoon class held inside the Greenwood High fieldhouse through Greenwood Parks and Recreation.
“Sword fighting has always been something that seemed very cool to me,” Joslin said. “The fun thing about fencing as a sport is it’s very challenging. It’s why it’s called physical chess.
“When you’re done, you’re drenched in sweat. I love the sport, and have been teaching it since I was a kid, almost.”
