Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency:  Newsflash

A 19-year-old student has survived after his skull was pierced by a rapier sword while he was fencing with a friend using blades he had got for his birthday.

Doctors in Russia managed to save the life of the 19-year-old teenager, whose face was severely damaged by the rapier while he was fencing with his friend, reportedly without wearing any protective equipment.

Daniil Kalin, 19, and his unnamed friend, both from the Russian city of Omsk, had taken a great interest in fencing a year ago.

Daniil, therefore, ordered two 120-centimetre (47.2-inch) rapiers for himself and his friend for his birthday, two months ago.

They went out into the courtyard of a residential building on Bagration Street and, without protective equipment, began to practise fencing last Sunday (19th December).

Daniil’s friend lunged towards his opponent and stabbed him in the face, seriously injuring him, according to local media. The rapier reportedly entered through Daniil’s eye area and went six centimetres (2.4 inches) into his skull.

He was taken to hospital and was immediately operated on. The operation was successful and Daniil’s brain was not damaged, and his eyesight was also preserved.

The Press Service of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for the city of Omsk said that the victim remains under the supervision of his doctors.

The rapiers were seized by the police and are reportedly being examined.

It is currently unclear if Daniil’s friend has been detained.

The police are currently investigating the incident.