1. Individual sport (sabre, foil, épée)
2. A niche but high‑end sport (with a long history)
3. Limited but high‑quality academic advancement pathways domestically and abroad (including NCAA)
4. Numerous year‑round tournaments
5. Clear distinction between professional provincial teams and club development tiers domestically
6. Does not require extremely early development, but places certain demands on physical fitness and height
