PARIS – For years, Enzo Lefort has wrestled with a question that strikes at the heart of French fencing: why does the small Caribbean island of Guadeloupe consistently produce elite athletes in a sport often associated with more traditional powerhouses? Now, the Olympic champion is turning that inquiry into a film. “FÒS,” meaning “force” in Guadeloupean Creole, is a 52-minute documentary co-directed by Lefort with Félix Magal and Vincent Lorca, set to air Monday, March 16th, on France 3, La1ere.fr, and France.TV.
The documentary’s genesis dates back to 2021, following Lefort’s team gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. “The question came to me once, another, and again,” Lefort explained, as reported by Le Parisien. “Since my first steps with the French team at 16, I’ve faced this interrogation. Why does Guadeloupe consistently contribute so much to the elite of French fencing?”
“FÒS” delves into the history of fencing in Guadeloupe, tracing its roots back to an art martial practiced by escaped slaves and the pioneers who introduced the sport to the island in the 1960s. The film isn’t simply a historical recounting; it follows a young, up-and-coming fencer from Guadeloupe, offering a contemporary look at the challenges and triumphs of aspiring athletes on the island.
Lefort emphasizes that there’s no single explanation for Guadeloupe’s success. “It’s a mix of several factors, with the role of role models being key,” he said. “In my generation, we were inspired by Laura Flessel’s gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.” Flessel, a double Olympic champion in épée, appears in the documentary to share her own story, detailing the sacrifices required to pursue a high level of competition.
That sacrifice is a recurring theme. Lefort himself left Guadeloupe at age 15 to train at an internat in Châtenay-Malabry, a significant uprooting for any teenager. “It’s a different culture, a different climate, you find yourself far from home,” Lefort explained. “When you leave Guadeloupe to join a high-level structure, you’re jumping without a parachute. You have no choice but to succeed. It costs a lot of money for our parents; it’s a sacrifice.”
The documentary doesn’t shy away from highlighting the systemic challenges faced by Guadeloupean fencers. Despite the island’s consistent production of talent, Lefort points to a lack of support for athletes seeking to compete internationally. “You can see that since Laura [Flessel], nothing has changed,” he stated. “Despite the talent pool, there’s no help provided to help fencers even participate in competitions. This documentary is also a kick in the teeth to say that things need to evolve.”
Lefort’s journey, from a young boy inspired by Flessel to an Olympic champion himself, underscores the potential within Guadeloupe. He won a team gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has multiple World Championship medals to his name, including individual gold in 2019 and 2022. According to his Wikipedia page, Lefort began fencing at age five after watching Flessel’s victory in Atlanta. He trained under Ruddy Plicoste at CREPS in Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, alongside other notable fencers like Jean-Paul Tony Helissey and Ysaora Thibus.
“FÒS” isn’t just a celebration of past achievements; it’s a call to action. Lefort hopes the documentary will spark a conversation about the need for greater investment in fencing infrastructure and support for athletes in Guadeloupe, ensuring that the island continues to nurture the next generation of champions. The film promises a compelling look at a unique sporting phenomenon and the dedication required to overcome significant obstacles in pursuit of excellence.
The documentary airs Monday, March 16th at 23:45 on France 3, and will also be available on La1ere.fr and France.TV.
Enzo Lefort is currently preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics, viewing it as a “chance of a lifetime, of a generation,” as he told Olympics.com. The pressure will be immense, competing on home soil, but Lefort and his teammates will undoubtedly be aiming to add to Guadeloupe’s impressive fencing legacy.
