Twenty U.S. fencers have qualified to compete in all fencing events. Great Britain qualified three fencers for the fencing competition. He ended the competition ranked 13th among the world's best sabre fencers. He coached Navy fencers in intercollegiate competition between 1896 and 1914. Team competition involves teams of three fencers. Experienced fencers, who had fought many bouts, often accumulated an array of scars. A total of 156 fencers qualified to compete at the games. Canada entered five fencers into the Olympic competition. Most competitive fencers choose to specialize in one weapon only. Hutton could have met some living longsword fencers and interviewed them. It has also produced many individual state champion fencers. For individual events, the 3 fencers from the team event qualify for individual competition automatically. Pozdnyakov is also one of the most successful Olympic fencers. The fencers also salute the referee and the audience. Shorter fencers generally have less target area to defend.