USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Pretty much anyone who has fenced a local tournament since 2002 is on a first-name basis with FRED — short for the “Fencing Results and Events Database.”

The site, askfred.net, was founded by Peet Sasaki in 2002 as a self-service platform allowing fencers and their parents to quickly and easily register for fencing tournaments. AskFRED soon flourished thanks to its reputation of being “by the fencer, for the fencer.”

Today, USA Fencing announces we have made a strategic investment in AskFRED designed to ensure the long-term stability of the site while preserving its spirit and fencer-first focus. 

So what will change for you, the fencer? Nothing! You can continue to enjoy the AskFRED you love — albeit with some upgrades that longtime users of the site will notice right away.

International friends, please note that AskFRED will continue to serve the wider fencing community, including both USA Fencing members and non-members. However, USA Fencing members will benefit from tighter integration with their member profile. 

Both USA Fencing members and non-members will benefit from safety measures designed to prevent banned or suspended individuals from registering for tournaments. 

USA Fencing’s investment will allow AskFRED to continue to grow, become more user-friendly and add exciting new features. But we don’t plan to mess with what works and what fencers appreciate about the platform.

That means fencers will continue to register for local tournaments and clinics in AskFRED.

“This is an important moment not just for USA Fencing but for the wider fencing community to protect this resource for USA Fencing members and other AskFRED users,” says Phil Andrews, USA Fencing CEO. “Within USA Fencing, as we seek to continue to make our sport safer, seek to serve fencers at every level and re-embrace local events, this strategic investment strengthens those commitments.”

You can see some of these changes already. Recently AskFRED.net was relaunched with a modern look and feel, but the site kept the features that made AskFRED the legendary system we seek to protect today.

As this exciting new chapter begins, we have to thank Peet Sasaki — and we did, presenting him with the 2023 USA Fencing Award for Service to Divisions and Sections.

While Sasaki is stepping aside, AskFRED will continue to operate with multiple stakeholders (not just USA Fencing), in order to reduce risk.

Watch for more exciting updates about AskFRED in the coming months.