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Mexicans embrace the Force with lightsaber training inspired by Star Wars
- Mexico’s Jedi Knight Academy teaches fencing ‘with lightsabers in the style of Jedi teachings’
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It’s not quite a galaxy far, far away, but about 20 people gather at dusk in a park in southern Mexico to practice fencing with glowing lightsabers – a sport inspired by the Star Wars franchise.
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Lightsaber duelling has grown in popularity in recent years, and France’s fencing federation now recognises it as an official sport, holding national championships.
In Mexico, the Jedi Knight Academy teaches fencing “with lightsabers in the style of the Jedi teachings”, referring to the fictional guardians of peace and justice in the popular film franchise created by legendary filmmaker George Lucas.
The academy offers a “playful sport with lightsabers, in a safe and fun way”, Mauricio Rodriguez, an 18-year-old student, told Agence France-Presse.
Both male and female participants, some dressed in masks and long capes, were lured by their love of science fiction and the chance of a bit of exercise.
Fencing “with a lightsaber makes me feel like I’m a Jedi, but as a sport it’s interesting”, said 24-year-old engineering student Victor Aceves.
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