As we close out each year of competitions in Lightspeed Saber League, we also reflect on what we did right and what we did wrong. We are still a small organization, which means we have the flexibility needed to adapt, without the baggage and red tape that a larger organization would have to contend with. Nowhere is this more important than when an injury occurs.
Our last major injury occurred in 2018. A competitor sustained microfractures to the wrist bones. That competitor was wearing a cheaper type of glove we weren’t aware of, which did not provide adequate protection. On discovering this, we immediately upped our glove standards, and a similar injury has not occurred since.
The longer a sporting organization exists, and the more people come through its doors, the higher the likelihood that a new injury will occur. We waited a good five years for our next incidents to occur this year, at Lightspeed Returns: one competitor lost feeling in their leg after two odd hits landed at the knee pit, one competitor took a break from the match in medical distress, and one competitor dislocated their shoulder. The dislocated shoulder was relocated on site, the distressed fencer eventually returned with their inhaler to complete the match, and the other competitor retired for the remainder of the competition, but is mostly healed now, several weeks later.
Replays of the incidents have been studied, and the relevant referees consulted. For various reasons, the severity of the injuries were not completely understood until some time after the conclusion of the matches, and as a result, it was unclear as to how much responsibility the opposing fencer bore for each of these accidents. As such, only yellow cards were given (at maximum).
Even if none of these incidents were ultimately a result of being struck by the Lightspeed blade, we cannot avoid the feeling that hard striking exacerbated these issues, and increased the likelihood of their occurrence. It is for this reason that Lightspeed Saber rules, safety procedures, and equipment are again being reviewed, and changes are expected in the near future.
If you have any comments on these incidents, or ideas going forward, don’t hesitate to talk to myself or another officer. We value the input of you, our members, because ultimately, it is you fighting in the box. And we want to make sure you are safe, comfortable, and having fun.
Cang Snow
Chief Executive Officer