ESCRIME XXI N°102_English

N° 102 DIGITAL MAGAZINE

01 SOLIDARITY OF A WORLD SPORT IS GOOD 02 LEIPZIG HOSTS A WORLD OF FENCERS 03 INTERVIEW WITH DMITRY ZHEREBCHENKO 04 NEW ATHLETES’ COMMISSION ELECTED

THIS ISSU CONTENTS

Welcome to the latest edition of Escrime XXI packed with the best fencing images, video and features and showcased in striking new look.

Tap table of content to navigate.

EDITORIAL SPORT INTERVIEW FIE & NATIONAL FEDREATION NEWS PREVIEW GRAND PRIX 2017-2018 NEWS

WWW.FIE.ORG

OBITUARIES

EDI TOR IAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE FIE

PRESIDENT

Alisher Usmanov (RUS)

SECRETARY GENERAL

Emmanuel Katsiadakis (M .H.) (GRE)

SECRETARY TREASURER

Ferial Nadira Salhi (ALG)

VICE PRESIDENTS

Ana Pascu (M.H.) (ROU) Donald JR. Anthony (USA) Wei Wang (CHN) Erika Aze (LAT)

Jacek Bierkowski (POL) Velichka Hristeva (BUL)

FIE HEAD OFFICE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

Nathalie Rodriguez M.-H. (FRA)

ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR

Elena Murdaca (ITA)

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Margarita Berdoz (SUI)

ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR

Gabrielle Meylan (SUI)

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Joana Almeida (POR)

Isabelle Lamour (FRA) Yuki Ota (JPN)

SPORT

Novak Perovic (RSA) Oleg Peskov (KAZ)

SPORT AND TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Evgeny Tsoukhlo (RUS)

Bence Szabo (HUN)

SPORT TECHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

Natalia Bodrova (RUS)

Pascal Tesch (LUX)

SPORT OPERATIONS MANAGER

Sophie Treyvaud (SUI)

Giorgio Scarso (ITA)

Aldo Montano (ITA)

COMMUNICATION, MARKETING, TV

PRESIDENT, AFRICAN FENCING CONFEDERATION

Mbagnick Ndiaye (SEN)

CMTV DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR

PRESIDENT, PAN-AMERICAN FENCING CONFEDERATION

Vitaly Logvin (MEX)

DIGITAL COORDINATOR

PRESIDENT, ASIAN FENCING CONFEDERATION

Celso L. Dayrit (M.H.) (PHI)

HEAD OF FIE TV PRODUCTION

PRESIDENT, EUROPEAN FENCING CONFEDERATION

Stanislav Pozdnyakov (RUS)

FIE TV PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

PRESIDENT, OCEANIAN FENCING CONFEDERATION

Helen Smith (M.H.) (AUS)

PRESS OFFICER PHOTOGRAPHY

Elena Grishina (RUS) Maria Ntanou (GRE) Barna Heder (HUN) Svetlana Krasnokoutskaya (RUS) Serge Timacheff (USA) Augusto Bizzi (ITA) Kawish Bawa (IND)

PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE “ SHARED EXCITEMENT AND ANTICIPATION OF ANOTHER GREAT FENCING SEASON ” Dear Friends, Time on the piste passes with lightning speed, and so it is with our Quadrennium progressing towards Tokyo 2020. We find ourselves at the outset of the second year following Rio 2016, and already we are forming a strong vision and outlook for the next Summer Olympic Games.

FOREWORD

We celebrate as a world fencing community now that our full

As always, the FIE works to manage the day-to-day demands

set of 12 events will receive Olympic Gold, beginning with

of our sport, as well as strives to build recognition and interest

Tokyo 2020—arguably, this was the highlight of 2017 and

in fencing. This was evident in particular on September 9,

something we have worked to achieve for more than a decade.

when we celebrated World Fencing Day around the planet with

This marks a monumental acknowledgement that fencing

activities, demonstrations, and opportunities to try fencing.

continues to evolve, mature, and develop as a valid and widely

With the global theme of ‘Solidarity’, the event sparked

accepted 21st-century world and Olympic sport.

interest on all continents, and brought Olympians, children, and people from all walks of life into contact with a sport rich

Our first Senior World Championships in this four-year cycle

in tradition, and at the same time growing in popularity as a

took place in Leipzig, Germany in July, and was resoundingly

modern athletic event.

successful in attracting a wider diversity of fencers than ever before. While many Olympic and world fencers are

Please join me in the shared excitement and anticipation of

continuing their careers—some with more than two decades

another great fencing season, and a joy and enthusiasm for

of competitive results—we are also seeing talented new

the blessings fencing brings to our lives.

athletes rising in the ranks from junior and cadet competition and from the sheer perseverance of becoming champions. The 2017 World Championships reflected just how much fencing is growing, in both participation and appreciation.

We are just now entering the 2017-18 cycle of world competition. In addition to numerous world cups, December will bring the first of the season’s Grand Prix series, including events for men and women taking place in Cancun (saber), Doha (epee), and Turin (foil). It will be fascinating and thrilling to watch the ranks of fencers position themselves throughout the year, and to see who ultimately rises to gold against fierce competitors.

FOREWORD

Alisher Usmanov

p ow e r f u l c on c e n t r a t i on co o r d i na t i on p a s s i on p ow e r f u l d i s c i p l i ne c on c e n t r a t i on pa s s i on c oor d i na t i on d i s c i p l i ne p ow e r f u l s i on c on c e n t r a t i on

LEIPZIG, GERMANY

JULY 21-26, 2017

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

LEIPZIG, GERMANY

DAY 1: JULY 21, 2017

MEN’S SABRE & WOMEN’S FOIL

HUNGARY’S ANDRAS SZATMARI, RUSSIA’S INNA DERIGLAZOVA EARN GOLD MEDALS More than 200 men’s sabre and women’s foil fencers competed today to become champions at the 2017 Leipzig World Fencing Championships, with athletes from Hungary and Russia taking home gold medals. This is the first senior World Championship following fencing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and tonight was the first two of 12 individual and team event finals.

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

In the best result of his career, 24-year-old Hungarian Andras Szatmari is a new World Champion in men’s individual sabre, after defeating Korean Bongil Gu in the final, 15-11. Szatmari beat French fencer Vincent Anstett in the semi-final, 15-11, while Gu—a former bronze and silver World Championship medallist—overcame Russian Kamil Ibragimov, 15-10. Notably, the Russian had defeated Hungarian two-time Olympic champion Aron Szilagyi in the round of 16, 15-12.

“It’s a wonderful feeling, and I appreciate everyone who helped me, including my family, coach, and girlfriend” said Szatmari.

“I woke up this morning at six and just felt I could win.”

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

For the third year running, including an Olympic gold medal in Rio, Russia’s 27-year-old Inna Deriglazova is victorious in women’s individual foil. The final this evening in Leipzig featured the Russian champion facing Italian Alice Volpi in a close match, dueling through three full periods before ending with a win by one point, 14-13. In the semi-final, Deriglazova earned a wide-margin defeat over two-time Italian World Champion Arianna Errigo, 15-6. Volpi beat French foilist Ysaora Thibus in the second semi-final, 15-12.

‘From year-to-year to win is more-and-more difficult’, said Deriglazova.

‘Today was a very hard day, and especially the final match was crazy, but I won, and I’m happy.’

Overall top-eight ranking for the men include Andras Szatmari (HUN, gold), Bongil Gu (KOR, silver), Vincent Anstett (FRA, bronze), Kamil Ibragimov (RUS, bronze), Luca Curatoli (ITA), Sanguk Oh (KOR), Kostiantyn Voronov (ISR), and Ali Pakdaman (IRI).

Top eight for the women included Inna Deriglazova (RUS, gold), Alice Volpi (ITA, silver), Arianna Errigo (ITA, bronze), Ysaora Thibus (FRA, bronze), Astrid Guyart (FRA), Julia Walczyk (POL), Camilla Mancini (ITA), and Anne Sauer (GER), international Olympic Committee President and Olympic fencing gold medallist Thomas Bach attended tonight’s event, accompanied by FIE President Alisher Usmanov, Leipzig Mayor Heiko Rosenthal, Saxony Minister of the Interior Markus Ulbig, and German Fencing Federation President and Olympic medallist Claudia Bokel.

MEN’S RESULTS

WOMEN’S RESULTS

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

LEIPZIG, GERMANY

DAY 2: JULY 22, 2017

MEN’S EPEE, WOMEN’S SABRE

ITALY’S PIZZO & UKRAINE’S KHARLAN EARN GOLD MEDALS More than 300 men’s epee and women’s sabre fencers competed today to become champions at the 2017 Leipzig World Fencing Championships, with athletes from Italy and Ukraine taking home gold medals. This is the first senior World Championship following fencing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and tonight was the second night of six days featuring 12 individual and team event finals.

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

It was a second-time World Championship victory in Individual Men’s Epee for Italy’s Paolo Pizzo, who also took gold in his home country at the 2011 Catania World Fencing Championships. The final match was close, with Pizzo beating two-time World Champion Estonian Nikolai Novosjolov, 15-13, and both fencers playing a technical, powerful game until the end. Pizzo overtook German Richard Schmidt in the semifinal, 15-10, while Novososjolov beat Hungarian Andras Redli in the same round, also with a score of 15-10.

‘It’s another dream coming true, and I don’t know how it happens except that I am a great worker, I work so hard every day’, said Pizzo. ‘This is the best from my results and I am still dreaming.

I still need more time to connect my brain to this reality, and I am on another planet right now, as two-time world champion.’

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan tonight scored her third World Championship victory, overtaking Tunisian Azza Besbes in the final of Individual Women’s Sabre, 15-5. It was a strong day for the Ukrainian champion, with another 15-5 win in the semi-final against French fencer Cecilia Berder, while Besbes had a much closer fight against Italian Irene Vecchi, winning the semi-final by only a single point, 15-14. Notably, it was also a successful day for the Japanese women’s sabre fencers, with three of them making the round of eight (Misaki Emura, Shihomi Fukushima, and Norika Tamura).

‘I’m so tired, but so happy,’ said Kharlan. ‘I did my best, and this is so cool, but I don’t want to stop. This is all moving toward my dream of Olympic gold.’

Top eight for the women included Olga Kharlan (UKR, gold), Azza Besbes (TUN, silver), Cecilia Berder (FRA, bronze), Irene Vecchi (ITA, bronze), Anna Limbach (GER), Misaki Emura (JPN), Shihomi Fukushima (JPN) and Norika Tamura (JPN).

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEN’S RESULTS

WOMEN’S RESULTS

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LEIPZIG, GERMANY

DAY 3: JULY 23, 2017

MEN’S FOIL & WOMEN’S EPEE

RUSSIA EARNS TWO GOLD MEDALS It was a double-gold evening for Russia at the 2017 Fencing World Championships in Leipzig, Germany, with nearly 300 men’s foil and women’s epee fencers competing to become champions. This is the first senior World Championship following fencing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and tonight was the third night of six days featuring 12 individual and team event finals.

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Russian Dmitry Zherebchenko fenced his strongest day ever, winning his first world title in Individual Men’s Foil and beating Japan’s Toshiya Saito in the final, 15-12. It was a top result for Saito, as well, who beat reigning Olympic champion Italian Daniele Garozzo in the semi-final, 15-12. Zherebchenko beat Saito’s teammate, Takahiro Shikine, in the other semi-final, 15-12. Notably, several other men’s foil fencers ranked in the top-ten in the world were eliminated in the round of eight, including Race Imboden (USA), Richard Kruse (GBR), Alessio Foconi (ITA), and Alexander Massialas (USA).

“I worked all the time and didn’t relax for a second, which helped” said Zherebchenko.

“It was most difficult when the score was 10-10, and then I did what I did before, and put on more pressure, which helped.

It feels happy, unreal, something I don’t totally understand, and it’s cool.”

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

In a final featuring two women’s fencers achieving the best wins of their careers, Russia’s Tatiana Gudkova overtook Poland’s Ewa Nelip, 11-9, to become the new Individual Women’s Epee World Champion. Both fenced through a field of top-ranked, elite athletes to make the finals. Nelip beat Ukraine’s Olena Kryvytska in the semi-final, 15-10, after Kryvytska overcame Russia’s multi-time Olympian and Grand Prix/World Cup champion Tatiana

“I’m so happy, I don’t believe it, and it took very, very hard work to win” said Gudkova.

“I want to thank all of my team and trainers, and my next goal is to win another day, win everything, and be very strong and win the team competition here.”

Logunova in the round of eight, 15-10. Gudkova narrowly defeated Estonian and World Champion Julia Beljajeva in the other semi-final, 13-12, to make the final.

Overall top-eight ranking for the men include Dmitry Zherebchenko (RUS, gold), Toshiya Saito (JPN, silver), Daniele Garozzo (ITA, bronze), Takahiro Shikine (JPN, bronze), Alexander Massialas (USA), Richard Kruse (GBR), Alessio Foconi (ITA), and Race Imboden (USA).

Top eight for the women included Tatiana Gudkova (RUS, gold), Ewa Nelip (POL, silver), Julia Beljajeva (EST, bronze), Olena Kryvytska (UKR, bronze), Violetta Kolobova (RUS), Tatiana Logunova (RUS), Lauren Rembi (FRA), and Alexandra Ndolo (GER).

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEN’S RESULTS

WOMEN’S RESULTS

LEIPZIG, GERMANY

DAY 4: JULY 24, 2017

MEN’S TEAM SABRE & WOMEN’S TEAM FOIL

KOREA & ITALY WIN GOLD

Korean and Italian fencing teams struck gold this evening at the 2017 Leipzig World Fencing Championships, with Korea taking the Men’s Team Sabre event and Italy winning Women’s Team Foil. This is the first senior World Championship following fencing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and tonight was the fourth night of six days featuring 12 individual and team event finals. In all today, nearly 30 men’s and 14 women’s teams from around the world participated.

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Korea took the final match and gold medal over Hungary with a strong winning score of 45-22. Korea also won the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, but tonight was the first time the country has won a World Championship title in this event. Italy took the bronze medal over the USA, 45-40.

The semi-final matches were both won by a single touch each at 45-44, with Hungary beating Italy and Korea defeating the USA. The Italian women scored gold over the United States in the final team foil match, winning with a wide margin, 45-25. The Italians have now won this event at six of the last eight World Championships. The bronze medal went to Russia, who beat Germany with another wide-margin victory, 45-29. The semifinals resulted in closer scores, with USA beating Russia, 45-42, and Italy overtaking Germany, 45-34.

Top-eight rankings for Men’s Team Sabre include Korea (gold), Hungary (silver), Italy (bronze), USA, Iran, Romania, France, and Russia.

The overall top-eight ranking for Women’s Team Foil include Italy (gold), USA (silver), Russia (bronze), Germany, France, Canada, China, and Japan.

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEN’S RESULTS

WOMEN’S RESULTS

LEIPZIG, GERMANY

DAY 5: JULY 25, 2017

MEN’S TEAM EPEE & WOMEN’S TEAM SABRE

FRANCE & ITALY WIN GOLD

French and Italian fencing teams took gold tonight in the Men’s Team Epee and Women’s Team Sabre events.

This is the first senior World Championship following fencing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and tonight was the fifth evening of six days featuring 12 individual and team event finals. In all today, nearly 40 men’s and 25 women’s teams from around the world participated.

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEN’S RESULTS

WOMEN’S RESULTS

Despite a close match all the way to the end,

For the first time since Havana 2003, the Italian

including a lead going into the last bout, the

women’s sabre team earned a gold medal at

Swiss men’s epee team lost to France, the

the World Championships, defeating Korea

reigning Olympic champions and leader in

in the final, 45-27. The reigning Olympic

total world titles. Winning with a score of 45-

champions, Russia, who have also won this

43, number-one ranked Yannick Borel took the

event more than any other country, took fifth

team to gold. The Swiss successfully took-on

place. In the semi-finals, Italy defeated France,

the Hungarians in the semi-final, winning 37-

45-42, and Korea took Japan, 45-32. The bronze

32, while France defeated Russia in the same

medal went to France over Japan, 45-39.

round, 45-43. Russia took the bronze medal, beating Hungary 45-38.

Top-eight rankings for Men’s Team Epee include France (gold), Switzerland (silver), Russia (bronze), Hungary, Italy, Ukraine, Estonia and Egypt.

The overall top-eight ranking for Women’s Team Sabre include Italy (gold), Korea (silver), France (bronze), Japan, Russia, Ukraine, USA and Mexico.

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE WAY TO

VICTORY

LEIPZIG, GERMANY

DAY 6: JULY 26, 2017

MEN’S FOIL & WOMEN’S EPEE

ITALY & ESTONIA WIN GOLD Italian and Estonian teams took gold tonight in the Men’s Team Foil and Women’s Team Epee events in Leipzig, Germany at the World Fencing Championships. This is the first senior World Championship following fencing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and it was the final evening of six days featuring 12 individual and team events. In all today, nearly 30 men’s and 25 women’s teams participated from around the world.

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Italy earned yet another title in its record-setting

The Estonian women’s epee team is the new

total of Men’s Team Foil gold medals (16) at the

World Champion tonight in Leipzig, defeating the

World Championships, after defeating the USA in

Chinese women—who won gold in 2015 and at

the final, 45-41. The USA beat Russia in the semi-

the London 2012 Olympic Games—with a score

final by a wide margin, 45-29, and Italy overcame

of 45-33 in the final. China overcame Korea in the

France, 45-35, to make the finals. France took the

semi-final, 40-32, while Estonia beat Poland, 37-

bronze medal against Russia, 45-37.

27, in the other semi-final. The bronze medal was taken by Poland over Korea, 33-28.

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Top-eight rankings for Men’s Team Foil include Italy (gold),

The 2017 Leipzig World Fencing Championships were

USA (silver), France (bronze), Russia, Korea, Germany,

officially closed by FIE Secretary-General Emmanuel

Japan, and China.

Katsiadakis, and the FIE flag was passed from the German Fencing Federation to the Chinese Fencing Federation.

The overall top-eight ranking for Women’s Team Epee

The 2018 World Fencing Championships will take place

include Estonia (gold), China (silver), Poland (bronze),

next summer in Wuxi, China.

Korea, Germany, France, USA, and Russia.

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEN’S RESULTS

WOMEN’S RESULTS

ADDITIONAL AND COMPLETE RESULTS MAY BE FOUND ON THE: 2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE

2017 LEIPZIG WORLD FENCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

AS WELL AS ON THE FIE WEBSITE

HERE

RUSSIA

DMITRY ZHEREBCHENKO 1

How important was it to you to win the World Fencing Championship in Men’s Individual Foil?

The victory at the World Championships was very important for me, because it was the main tournament of the season and the best sports result of my life.

INTERVIEW

2

Last year you were in Rio for the Olympics, can you tell us about your experience at Rio 2016 in a few words?

Last year I was lucky enough to take part in the Olympic final, but unfortunately because of the Olympic rules I didn’t get a medal, as I didn’t fence any match during the tournament. Nevertheless, I’m happy that I got the chance to feel the emotions, get the experience and the motivation for future work.

3

What was your training schedule over the last few months, before Leipzig 2017?

In Russia, we usually live and work out with the national team for about 200 days a year. Fencing is our job and we have very little free time.

4

What are your ambitions for the upcoming season, including the Grand Prix series and World Championships in Wuxi 2018?

Each competition is important for me and I always go there to win. I also enjoy the struggle, the emotions and communicating with other people.

INTERVIEW – DMITRY ZHEREBCHENKO

5

Could you tell us about your life when you are not training?

Usually, I spend most of the time when I’m not training with

7

Lastly, a question taking you back to your beginnings, what do you remember about when you started fencing?

my family. My wife, Victoria Kovaleva, is a sabre fencer. Now

I was born, grew up and started fencing in Kurchatov. It is a

we are waiting for a baby—that is one more important event

small city but famous for its fencers, especially in women’s foil,

of my life that is on the way.

including Olga Lobyntseva, Iana Rouzavina, Eugyenia Lamonova, Julia Birioukova, Inna Deriglazova, and me - all of us from one

6

Have you faced a difficult situation that affected your sporting career, and if so, how did you overcome it?

fencing club. I asked my Mom to take me to fencing classes when I was eight years old. After a few training sessions I liked it, and started to train every day. There weren’t many boys in our group and I was fencing mostly with girls. I only started to fence with boys a lot when I started to take part in camps with national

In 2012 I had some health problems and had to stop fencing.

In 2013 I went to the USA and coached there for more than a year. In the summer of 2014, I returned to Russia and decided to try to fence again. I started training in August and three years later I became world champion.

INTERVIEW – DMITRY ZHEREBCHENKO

teams as a cadet and junior.

ADVANCED PERFORMANCE BY DESIGN

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LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

WORLD FENCING DAY CELEBRATES FENCING SOLIDARITY FOR ALL Around the globe, it was a day to celebrate the sport of fencing. World Fencing Day, on Saturday, September 9, together with those holding a sword for the first time, fencing clubs took to the streets to demonstrate dueling for wide-eyed children, and aspiring young fencers shared hopes and dreams with masters of the piste. The Solidarity theme gives a common purpose to everyone celebrating fencing, and strives to make it available to anyone, anywhere.

© KAWISH BAWA

featured a theme of Solidarity and brought Olympians

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

WORLD FENCING DAY CELEBRATES FENCING

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

Olympians shared experiences and autographs with eager first-time fencers in Budapest World medallists and Olympic fencers put on a show of dueling on the beaches of California Olympic Swiss fencers and World Fencing Day ambassadors Max Heinzer and Benjamin Steffen offered fencing introductions and signed autographs In Cornwall, Great Britain, a dueling scene occurred for the public at historic shipping docks National fencing federations are sending photos, videos, and stories of World Fencing Day to the FIE, which are being posted on our Facebook page as they arrive

WORLD FENCING DAY CELEBRATES FENCING

Much more may be seen on FIE social media, including videos, photographs, and stories. World Fencing Day has produced a reach of more than one million people via its hashtag of #FencingDay, with more than related 2500 posts on Instagram. Numerous countries provided information to the FIE about their activities, just as of this weekend:

ALGERIA

ANGOLA

COLOMBIA GUATEMALA IRAQ RWANDA

AZERBAIJAN

CYPRUS

EL SALVADOR

HONDURAS

KYRGYZSTAN

BELGIUM

HUNGARY

MEXICO

SWITZERLAND

FRANCE INDIA

NEW ZELAND

TURKEY

UGANDA

BERMUDA

CANADA

GERMANY LIBYA

CHINA

GREAT BRITAIN NEPAL

PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA

NICARAGUA ROMANIA

RUSSIA

USA

The FIE congratulates all federations, clubs, and individuals for promoting fencing with their activities organized in their countries. Fencing is a sport for all ages and people, and on this first World Fencing Day, it is exhilarating to see children fencing with their parents, juniors bouting with seniors, and people globally sharing their experiences.

WORLD FENCING DAY CELEBRATES FENCING

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

About 50 national federations were contacted from the five continental zones to propose candidates to take part in the camp. The FIE considered national federations with fewer than 19 senior licensed fencers, favoring fencing developing countries. In total, 42 invited fencers in all weapons attended and were

FIE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CAMP IN LEIPZIG

trained by top-notch coaches (two women, three men): Shaimaa El Gammal (EGY) and Petru Kuki (ROU) for foil, Octavian Zidaru (ROU) and Marek Stepien (USA) for epee, and Gioia Marzocca (ITA) for sabre.

The national federations of Kyrgyzstan, El Salvador and Guatemala asked to send additional fencers at their own costs so they could train together.

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

Besides the chance to work with fencing masters, the participants had the possibility to participate in the World Championships and gain some major competition experience. Among the training camp fencers, Tamesha Thomas (15 years old) represented Antigua and Barbuda for the first time in a World Championship. The following athletes made it through to the top 64:

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Satya Gunput from Mauritius (epee).

An historic result, as it was the first time Mauritius made it that far in World Championships

•

Chintya Pua from Indonesia (foil)

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Yara El Sharkawy from Egypt (foil) was directly qualified to the T64

•

Jérémy Keryhuel from Ivory Coast (foil) was directly qualified to the T64

•

Yunior Reytor Venet from Cuba (epee)

TRAINING CAMP IN LEIPZIG

The feedback was very positive from the fencers, who were glad

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

to have the opportunity to learn and the friendships they built.

Coaches and parents also praised the quality of organization.

Some facts and figures:

27 MEN AND 15 WOMEN 24 EPEE FENCERS (TWO PRACTICING BOTH EPEE AND FOIL) 10 FOIL FENCERS (TWO PRACTICING BOTH EPEE AND FOIL) 10 SABRE FENCERS 14 ATHLETES FROM THE AMERICAS 11 ATHLETES FROM AFRICA 11 ATHLETES FROM ASIA

WATCH THE VIDEO

6 ATHLETES FROM EUROPE

The next training camp for seniors will take place at the 2018 Senior World Championships in Wuxi, China next July.

TRAINING CAMP IN LEIPZIG

RESULTS OF THE ATHLETES’ COMMISSION VOTING 2017 FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

LAUSANNE, Switz., October 7, 2017 - Olympic gold medallist Aldo Montano (ITA)

Commission members will serve for a four-year term. Members of

is the newly elected president of the Athletes’ Commission of the International

the Commission include the following fencers:

Fencing Federation (FIE). Mr. Montano becomes a member of the FIE Executive Committee, which will meet on November 24.

The Commission, which comprises elite fencers from around the world and gives a voice to athletes in the proceedings and decisions of the FIE, met on October 7 in Lausanne, Switzerland to elect a President and hold its first meeting with its new members to prepare a working calendar.

This past July, the athletes participating in the Fencing World Championships in Leipzig, Germany elected six (non-weapon specific) athletes. Additionally, the FIE Executive Committee nominated six fencers, nominated by their respective member federations, at its September meeting, making a total of 12 members.

•

Aldo Montano (ITA, President)

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Yuki Ota (JPN, Representative of the Executive Committee)

•

Alaaeldin Abouelkassem (EGY)

•

Yannick Borel (FRA)

•

Inna Deriglazova (RUS)

•

Maria Luisa Doig (PER)

•

Olga Kharlan (UKR)

•

Benjamin Kleibrink (GER)

•

Kazuyasu Minobe (JPN)

•

Gbahi Gwladys Sakoa (CIV)

•

Yujie Sun (CHN)

•

Aron Szilagyi (HUN)

•

Mariel Zagunis (USA)

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

DONATE YOUR FENCING GEAR LEIPZIG 2017

The city of Leipzig, Germany is experiencing two major competitions: The first is the 2017 World Fencing Championships. The other is a competition of generosity among the global fencing family. ‘Donate your Fencing Gear’, the new FIE program announced in March and tested in Plovdiv during the Junior and Cadet World Fencing Championships, exceeded expectations.

The program encourages fencers and others to donate used, functional fencing gear to be shared with disadvantaged fencers worldwide. Suppliers had announced they would contribute. Support was expected, at least from some fencers. But the wave of generosity and enthusiasm exceeded even the most optimistic forecasts.

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

Donate your Fencing Gear was conceived last Fall, before the FIE Elective Congress. Yuki Ota, at that time President of the FIE Athletes’ Commission, believed immediately in a program that has at its core the athletes both as donors and beneficiaries. The support and involvement of the Athletes Commission was crucial for the program’s success and we are happy to say that Aron Szilagyi, who succeeded Ota as President of the Athletes Commission, was equally supportive. The FIE Executive Committee meeting in Nice in February gave its green light to the trial, and the preparatory work began.

In Plovdiv, despite its embryonic stage, Donate your Fencing Gear received a broad, positive response: a minimal promotion through social media was enough to catch the attention of the fencers, who then went to the FIE stand to leave their masks, breeches, gloves, chest protectors and fencing bags. It was in Plovdiv that Gabor Boczko, Olympic medallist in men’s epee at Rio 2016, donated his mask for the project. He must be remembered as the first fencer to make a donation, paving the way for Leipzig and many more submissions, for which the fencing family is deeply grateful. His gesture opened the way for more equipment being given to the FIE: ’I saw the post on Facebook’, said Julius Jutila, Finnish donor in Plovdiv, while giving one of his masks. During the same time, Yusuke Aoki, member of the FIE Coaches’ Council, donated his chest protector and mask. Along with fencers, coaches also wanted to show their solidarity and play an active role in this program.

DONATE YOUR FENCING GEAR

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

The donations were a great beginning, and then beneficiaries were

framework for the Charity Agreement that would bind the FIE and

needed to receive the donations. In order to be eligible to receive these

the national federation recipients. Yuki Ota boosted his support,

donations, the FIE national federations were invited to submit various

and, matching the spirit of the project, offered to the FIE a tool for

programs, projects, and initiatives targeting disadvantaged areas where

promotion, an animation video capturing the soul of the program:

people rarely even dare of dreaming to fence, as the cost of equipment

giving fencing gear so as many people as possible can enjoy fencing.

represents an insurmountable obstacle. The time has come for

A great part of the success of the collection in Leipzig is due to his

obstacles to be removed and the word “insurmountable” to be retired.

generosity. In further support of the program, Janet Huggins, FIE SEMI commission member, agreed to modify her trip to Leipzig for the

Honduras, Senegal, Kyrgyzstan, Colombia, Rwanda and Brazil

Commission meeting, arriving in Germany on the 19th of July rather

responded to the invitation and presented sport-for-all and sport for

than on the 24th. ‘It is the second time that I put a stamp on this jacket’,

hope initiatives, each of them deserving to be endorsed and developed.

she observed, while marking it with the green stamp of Leipzig 2017 on

This presented a difficult choice for the fencers, called to select the

clothing donated by Aron Szilagyi. ‘the first time was in London 2012—

country they want to support with their gesture.

look at this stamp!’ Ms. Huggins was appointed as SEMI Delegate ad

As the World Championships approached, Donate your Fencing Gear

hoc in order to check that the used equipment donated by the fencers

won approval from every side. Edina Czegledy, FIE Legal Commission

could be used safely. Only 5 gloves and 2 plastrons were rejected, all the

member, volunteered to provide legal assistance and the legal

rest are fine’, she said.

DONATE YOUR FENCING GEAR

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

In addition, thanks to the solidarity shown by the manufacturers offering brand new equipment, part the FIE main office was transformed into a storage room, where it was barely possible to walk. PBT decided they would not have a stand in Leipzig, and so they shipped from Budapest six carton boxes containing all sorts of equipment: gloves, socks, masks, breeches, jackets, electric jackets, guards, plastrons and more. Allstar, besides providing transportation and storage services for the items collected in Plovdiv, donated brand-new clothing. So did Uhlmann, that already granted regular support for the next editions of the program. To cut a long story short, just doing the inventory of the equipment by the manufacturers took an entire working day.

‘We need more fencing bags, and I’m going to negotiate with the manufacturers’, remarked FIE Secretary Treasurer Ferial Salhi, after having stuffed 10 fencing bags with donated material. . ‘Leon Paul will provide additional fencing bags, they are arriving tomorrow morning from London’, she announced, less than half an hour later.

While the FIE office welcomed the gift of the suppliers, the FIE staff at the Donate your Fencing Gear stand in Leipzig witnessed the extreme generosity of the athletes.

DONATE YOUR FENCING GEAR

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

‘I cleaned up my room’, declared Lee Kiefer, bringing a bag full of equipment from the other side of the ocean. ‘Which project do you want to support with your donation?’

‘All of them, there is a lot of material, you can split among them’. Another athlete to pack an extra fencing bag with used equipment for donation was Alexey Yakimenko.

Together, with his teammate Dmitry Danilenkov, the two Russians targeted their donations to Brazil and Senegal. Minobe Kazuyasu proved to be faithful to his weapon and teamed-up with a country where epee is especially strong, in this case benefitting Kyrgyzstan. Many other fencers joined the action. A special section of the website will soon host the complete list of all the donors and of items donated, to give them the visibility and appreciation their generosity deserves.

Every donor, regardless of fencer or manufacturer, receives a certificate of solidarity recognising their contribution, jointly with a small bracelet attesting that a fencing gear was donated. If you want to know all of them, check the album “Donate my Fencing Gear” on the FIE Facebook page: Hall of Fame of donors, who, with their genuine heart, help make fencing a real family, with virtually no distinction between rich or poor, strong or weak, manufacturer or buyer. This is truly fencing without borders that go beyond personal interests for the sake of the sport. This positive reaction is a ray of hope and relief, extending beyond the fencing world. While the German fencers were giving also proof of their great heart, the Donate your Fencing Gear Program Manager of the FIE was literally moved to tears.

DONATE YOUR FENCING GEAR

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

Solidarity is contagious: ‘It is possible to fix this mask, and if one of the manufacturers is willing to do it, we will be able to accept it’, said Huggins. The request of help was accepted quickly and the mask was fixed. Attempts to replace the wheel of a fencing bag abandoned next to the stand (an anonymous donation?) are underway; nothing must be wasted, everything is useful.

“I don’t know how I am going to bring back all this equipment to my country” was the comment made by nearly all the beneficiaries receiving the donation, each of them with a big smile. ‘The kids will be so happy when they unpack the bags’, says Arno Perillier, Vice President of Brazilian Fencing Federation. ‘This is something good and it is happening here and now’ commented Juan Miguel Paz, the Colombian coach entrusted with the task to collect the donations.

In the FIE Statutes is written:

“In order for the fencing world to progress as

a whole, solidarity between the strong and the weak is an undeniable requisite, whether it be between continents, federations or athletes. This vision must become real. Our common singular motto: fencing together, universal fencing.”

This vision became real in Leipzig.

DONATE YOUR FENCING GEAR

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

CARIBBEAN FENCING ON THE MOVE:

BARBADOS FENCING CAMP Fencing is growing throughout the islands and nations in the Caribbean. The Barbados Fencing Federation has announced a Fencing Training Camp for epee and foil from August 21-26, featuring fencing master Don Conrad from Tampa, Florida, USA. The event was also held successfully last year with Maitre Conrad.

The event will take place at St. Dominic’s Church Hall, Maxwell, Christ Church, and a grand finale competition is planned to take place in the renowned Pirate’s Cove.

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

FENCING IN GHANA

The Republic of Ghana recently held its most successful fencing event in the Country’s history. Fencing in Africa is continuing to develop and grow, and the Ghana Fencing Inter Schools Competition, held a week ago, had a show-of-force with 38 fencers from seven schools in five regions. The event garnered significant media attention, with six TV stations, eight FM radio stations, and five newspapers covering the event for all the country to watch and experience.

The Ghana Education Service is planning to include fencing as an official extracurricular activity, and it will be included in the annual sports events of colleges and schools. The National Fencing Academy there will be fully operational as of August of this year, with training to create additional, credentialed fencing coaches.

As a result of these activities and programs, more fencing events and activities will be taking place in Ghana over the next year, and the country expects to see a significant growth in interest in the sport.

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CAMP LEIPZIG 2017

FIE & NATIONAL FEDERATION NEWS

An International Youth Camp will take place during the upcoming FIE World Championships in Leipzig, Germany, in July. The camp is organized by the German Youth Fencing Association, will have participants from across the globe, and will take place throughout the competition, from the 18th of July until the 27th of July.

Amongst other amazing things planned, the participants, aged between 10 and 22 years of age, will be part of the opening ceremony and therefore very close to these Championships. The Camp will be housed in a school within walking distance of the competition venue.

Furthermore, the participants can watch the world class fencers live from every discipline struggling to win the World Champion title, fight by fight. Due to the internationality of the attendants, the Youth association hopes that the children will connect with each other, finding new friends from across the world.

2017-2018 GRAND PRIX FENCING SEASON BEGINS!

Italy, Mexico, and Qatar will host the first round of Grand Prix events this Fall, as the second year of world-class fencing begins on the Road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Each country will host one of fencing’s three weapons – epee, foil, and sabre – with men’s and women’s competitions in each location. Taking place in December, this is the first of three sets of Grand Prix tournaments for the 20172018 season.

As reigning champions from the Olympics, World Championships, and last-season’s Grand Prix events take to the piste to defend their rankings, literally hundreds of athletes will travel from around the world to these countries to win their way to glory—and, ultimately, positions on their countries’ world and Olympic teams. Many new faces appeared in last year’s first quadrennial year following the Rio 2016 Olympic Games alongside familiar faces on the global fencing scene, making for an exciting year ahead of unpredictable wins, upsets, and challenges.

PREVIEW GRAND PRIX

The first Grand Prix of the season is foil in Turin, Italy from December 1-3.

Last year’s title for men was taken by Italy’s Alessio Foconi, who beat USA’s Alexander Massialas in the final, 15-7, and for women was won by USA’s Lee Kiefer, who overtook her teammate, Nicole Ross, 15-8, for the gold medal.

The next weekend, December 8-10, will be epee, taking place in Doha, Qatar.

Korean epeeist Youngjun Kweon won the Grand Prix last year, winning 15-13 over France’s Alexandre Bardenet. For women, Tunisian Sarra Besbes beat Russia’s Violetta Kolobova, 15-8.

The final Grand Prix of this first round will be sabre, hosted in Cancun, Mexico, from December 12-15. In last year’s competition, Italian Luigi Samele won the event over Korean Jonghyun Lee, 15-11, and Russia’s Olympic gold medallist Yana Egorian took the gold again over Hungarian Anna Marton, 15-11.

PREVIEW GRAND PRIX

As with last year, each event will be live-streamed over the FIE YouTube channel and available to watch live as it takes place. Photos are information will be on the FIE Web site, Twitter, and Facebook pages, as well.

The second round of Grand Prix events will take place in March, 2018, in Long Beach, California, USA; Budapest, Hungary; and Seoul, Korea. This will be followed by the final round of the season in May/June, hosted in in Shanghai, China; Bogota, Colombia; and Moscow, Russia. World Cup and Zonal events will also take place throughout the season, culminating in the Senior World Championships next July in Wuxi, China.

PREVIEW GRAND PRIX

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES

ALL FEMALE COACHING COURSE IN ASIA Twenty female coaches from 19 countries from Asia and Oceania participated in the All Women Coaching Course in Foil held recently in Manila. The program was made prossible through funding from the IOC with support from the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA) and the FIE. The FIE provided funding for Mr. Petru Kuki of Romania who served as the foil expert. The FCA on the otherhand provided additional budget to cover other costs which weren’t covered by the IOC grant. The local Philippine Fencing Association provided the logistical support even taking the participants on a cultural tour of Manila during their free time.

Mr. Kuki prepared a comprehensive two week course with lectures and practical exercises supplemented with video presentations. The course was a huge success, according to Mr. Kuki. All the particiapnts were very enthusiastic and there were a few who showed a lot of promise as future national coaches. The best part for Mr. Kuki was that everyone was very cooperative and was supportive of each other, including the less experienced ones.

The IOC grant was part of the IOC Women in Sports Trophy for Asia which was won by Ms. Maria Leonor Estampador of the Philippines in 2016.

NEWS

WUXI, CHINA

FENCING CAMP AND ELITE COMPETITION IN WUXI NEWS

Fencers from China, Russia, USA, Uzbekistan, Iraq, and Hong Kong recently participated in the Absolute International Summer Fencing Camp in Wuxi, China for two weeks. The fencers had individual, group, and competition training with a variety of international coaches and athletes in three weapons. This camp was followed by the third-annual Absolute International Collegiate Fencing Elite Competition, featuring 158 fencers from 32 universities in the USA, China, Korea, and Japan. World-renowned schools such as Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, and Brown all sent fencers to participate.

NEWS

A number of well-known VIPs attended the event, including FIE Executive Committee member and USA Fencing President Donald Anthony, Chinese Fencing President Haibin Wang, Chinese Fencing Secretary General Aihua Xiao, Chinese Collegiate Fencing President Ronhai Zhao, Chinese Collegiate Fencing Secretary General Xinlin Li, Wuxi Sports Director Haoran Huang, Korean Olympic Committee member Jimi Jung, and Absolute Fencing Gear President Gary Lu. Fencers in both events were able to experience Chinese culture in Wuxi and surrounding attractions and sights in Jiangsu Province, providing a memorable experience with new friends and competitors. Wuxi is also where the Senior Fencing World Championships will take place in July, 2018.

FENCING CAMP IN WUXI

Pinto Salinas Caracas sector´s enjoyed a new fencing exhibition by the BenítezVen Foundation. About 50 children got to know this sport of combat and could enjoy its practice.

CARACAS, VENEZUELA

FUNDATION BENÍTEZVEN CONTINUED FENCING EXHIBITIONS NEWS

“Children should know what fencing

is, what their touches are, what their weapons are. We also have teaching material that allows children to have an approach to fencing and can live and feel it directly.”

said Alejandra Benítez, a Venezuelan athlete with 4 Olympic Games.

BenítezVen Foundation’s fencing exhibitions have been held in places such as Carora, Amazonas, Yaracuy, Carabobo, Higuerote. In the axis of the capital have been realized in multiple occasions and soon will take the experience to Barquisimeto, state Lara.

“We are believing in the seedbed. Encourage

NEWS

grassroots work. Masificación fencing so that it continues to grow, “added Benítez. “It is a recreational and formative experience. We encourage the values of fencing. Despite being a combat sport we always end up shaking hands with the opposite. ”

The facilitators of the fencing exhibition, in addition to Benítez, are

ABOUT BENÍTEZVEN FOUNDATION

shooters of various categories, who have been benefited by the

The BenitezVen Foundation was created in 2010 and since 2012 formally

BenítezVen Foundation and part of the gratitude with it, is to serve as

works in three axes: 1) Attention of boys and girls of clubs, with loan

multipliers of experience.

and donation of equipment for sports practice; 2) Accompaniment of Athletes, in different logistical aspects and 3) Social Work: BenítenVez

The activity was supported by the Directorate of Crime Prevention of

Foundation carries out multiple exhibitions, toy delivery, motivational

the Ministry of Popular Power of Interiors, Justice and Peace and the

talks and has benefited athletes of soccer, athletics, basketball, sambo,

Movement for Peace and Life.

swimming and organizations such as “Bandidos de Un Solo Brazo”.

BENÍTEZVEN FOUNDATION

OBITUARIES ANDREW IUS (AUS) Mr Andrew Ius passed away on Tuesday 25 of July, 2017.

During his career, Andrew has taken on team management roles for several Australian representative teams at major championships, including the World

Andrew Ius was awarded Life membership of the Australian Fencing Federation

Cadet & Junior Championships and the Commonwealth Championships.

Ltd (AFF) at the Annual General Meeting on 20 May 2017, in recognition of his many years of devoted service to the AFF and his invaluable contribution to the

Andrew has also made an extensive contribution to the management of international

development of fencing in Australia.

fencing events in Australia and overseas, including in the following roles:

Andrew’s involvement in the administration of Australian fencing extends over a

- Sports Information Manager (fencing), Sydney Olympic Games (2000)

period of 30 years..

- Event Director, International Epee Challenge World Cup (1992 & 1993) - Event Management Team, Challenge Australia (1994 – 2011)

Most recently, Andrew served as the President of the AFF (and its predecessor

- Event Management Team, Veteran World Championships (2007)

entity, the Australian Fencing Federation Inc) from 2009 to 2016.

- Chair, Directoire Technique, Australian Youth Olympic Festival (2009) - Directoire Technique assistant, Commonwealth Veteran Championships (2012)

Andrew had been a member of the former AFF Executive (and the current Board)

- Directoire Technique member, Asian Senior Championships (2012)

for 32 years, having been first elected in 1985. Andrew retired from the Board at

- Directoire Technique member, Olympic Zone Qualifier (2012)

the Annual General Meeting on 20 May 2017.

Prior to joining the AFF Executive, Andrew held a range of positions with the During his tenure, Andrew served in a range of roles (including Treasurer,

Victorian Amateur Fencing Association (now Fencing Victoria), including periods

Secretary-General and Public Officer) and sat on a number of Commissions,

as Treasurer, Secretary and Public Officer.

including the Tournament Management Commission, the Finance & Administration Commission and the Selection Commission.

Andrew Ius was married to Helen Smith, President of the Oceania Fencing Confederation.

OBITUARIES

FIE.ORG

DEATH OF GEORGE RUIJSCH VAN DUGTEREN (NED)

Commission. He has been responsible for the FIE’s anti-doping code throughout this time, including its total rewriting to bring it structurally into compliance with the new WADA code. In 2010, he created the FIE anti-doping education programme, which he managed and animated at each FIE Junior and Cadet

It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of George Ruijsch

World Championships. Such was his expertise, experience and reputation in anti-

Van Dugteren on July 31, 2017 in Cape Town. Born on September 19, 1944 in

doping matters that he became President of the UCI Anti-Doping Commission

Amsterdam, George R. Van Dugteren was a retired Paediatric Nephrologist.

(2007 - 2013), President of Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (since 2013), a Member of WADA Prohibited List Committee (2001 – 2004), and Co-ordinator of

Of Dutch nationality but resident in South Africa for all his life except his early

the WADA List Committee “Working Group” (2001 - 2004).

childhood, George Ruijsch Van Dugteren was president of the South African Fencing Association from 1990 to 2005. In this role, he led South Africa back

He had been a member of the NOCSA (National Olympic Committee of South

into full and active membership of the international fencing family, promoting

Africa) from 1992 to 1996, a Member of the ANOCA (the Association of National

our sport in South Africa and encouraging its introduction and development

Olympic Committees of Africa) Medical Commission (1993– 1996), a Member of

throughout the African continent.

the NOCSA Anti-Doping Commission (1996 - 2008), Chairman of NOCSA AntiDoping Commission (2005 – 2008) and Board Member of the South African

He was South African Epée Champion in 1966 and 1967. In 1997, he organised

Institute for Drug-Free Sport (1997 – 2002).

an outstanding world championships in Cape Town, with an accompanying FIE ordinary congress. In 1999, he was awarded the Chevalier Feyerick

The FIE and the sport of fencing have lost a talented and remarkable expert, fully

Trophy, together with the South African Fencing Federation, for his and their

dedicated to the lead role in protecting our athletes

contribution to the development of fencing on the African continent. In 2012, he

from doping. But above all, the fencing family has lost

was elected member of the FIE Hall of Fame.

one of its members, a great friend who was appreciated and respected by all.

A member of the FIE Medical Commission from 1992 to 2016 and its President

We would like to extend our sincere condolences and

from 2004 to 2008, he chaired its anti-doping committee from 2002 to 2016.

sympathy to his family, friends, to the Netherlands

He has been the mainstay of the FIE’s fight against doping throughout that

Fencing Federation and to the South African Fencing

period, and continued in that role when no longer a member of the Medical

Federation in these difficult times.

OBITUARIES

FIE.ORG

TUDOR ANDREI PETRUS PASSES AWAY It is with sympathy and sadness that we report the passing of Tudor Andrei Petrus of Romania, one of the country’s foremost foil coaches. Born on October 2, 1949, in Cluj Napoca, Coach Petrus graduated from the ANEFS in Bucharest after studying under Jacques Istrate and Vasilie Chelaru. He then joined the CSA Steaua Bucharest sports club, winning the Fencing Europe Cup in 1978.

He participated in the Montreal Olympics, ranking 45th in individual and 9th in team; he then took part in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, ranking 35th individually and 5th in the team event.

Coach Petrus retired as an athlete and became the CSA Steaua women’s Olympic coach, and then later took the head coach position. Under his leadership, the Romanian team was double World Champion in 1994 and 1995, and foilist Laura Badea took gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Until recently, Coach Petrus was a federal coach for the Romanian Fencing Federation and technician at CSU Poli Timisoara. He would have turned 68 on October 2.

FIE.ORG

We send condolences on behalf of the world fencing community to Coach Petrus’ family, associates, and students.

OBITUARIES

DEATH OF ANTONIO SPALLINO It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Antonio Spallino, Italian fencer, on September 27, 2017 in Como, Italy at the age of 92.

Born in Como on April 1, 1925, Mr. Spallino was a world and Olympic Champion who practised both foil and épée. He won gold, silver and bronze medals at two Olympic Games: • Silver medal in team men’s foil in Helsinki in 1952 • Bronze medal in men’s individual foil and gold in men’s team foil in Melbourne

in 1956, together with Luigi Carpaneda, Manlio di Rosa, Giancarlo Bergamini, Vittorio Lucarelli and Edoardo Mangiarotti.

Antonio Spallino was world champion in men’s team épée in 1949 and men’s team foil in 1954 and 1955. He was champion of Italy in épée in 1949 and foil in 1958.

After his fencing career, Mr. Spallino became a lawyer. He was president of Panathlon International from 1988 to 1996, and mayor of the city of Como from 1970 to 1985.

We extend our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to his family, friends and the Italian Fencing Federation in this difficult time.

OBITUARIES

FIE.ORG