Madison woman aims to promote sport of fencing

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -- The Summer Olympics in Rio are officially less than two months away, and fencing will be one of the sports featured.

One Madison woman is making it her mission to promote the sport right here in Wisconsin.

"After moving here to the United States, I decided to open my school to share my love, my passion for fencing."

A passion that began in Poland at the age of 13, eventually led to Krystyna Kostecka's desire to teach others the sport.

"I started very poor, with one student, in a little day care room," she explained.

Now, at Cracovia Olympic Foil Fencing School, she teaches dozens- many of them teenagers.

"To get involved with fencing, you need to be extremely special. They're coming here to learn more and they're finding great passion and creating absolutely great fellowship."

A sport she describes as a great war between mind and body.

"It is challenging, it is a great bout like you are playing chess in high, high speed."

A test Kostecka would like to encourage others to try.

"Maybe people will consider to challenge themselves."

So between the push-ups, "for some people fencing can be competitive."

And Olympic hopes, "this is not a dream, this is the dream on steroids."

It's the message that Kostecka's students take home at the end of the day that matters the most.

"I always say to my students- never give up, never give up."

For more information on Cracovia Olympic Foil Fencing School,