WUXI, China, April 7-15, 2025 – The 2025 Wuxi Junior and Cadet Fencing World Championships have finished successfully, completing nine days of 18 cadet and junior individual and team events in epee, foil and sabre. The Championships took place at the beautiful Wuxi Taihu International Expo Center, drawing nearly 20 percent more participants than in 2024. Wuxi previously hosted the Senior World Championships in 2018.
With 99 nations represented at the Wuxi Championships this year, a total of 1,694 fencers competed in all events. Of these, 32% competed in foil, 38% in epee and 30% in sabre. Overall, 53.4% of the fencers were male and 46.6% female. More than 280 local volunteers supported the Championships on competition days, with an additional 100 volunteers on the opening and closing days.
The competition format was divided by weapon, with three days each of sabre, foil and epee men’s and women’s tournaments. The first of each of the three days were the junior individual events, followed by cadet individual and then junior team events.
Each day’s events were livestreamed on the FIE website worldwide and covered on all FIE social media platforms.
“On behalf of the FIE, Interim President Emmanuel Katsiadakis and our world fencing family, I congratulate the Wuxi organisers and the Chinese Fencing Association for hosting such a spectacular and successful World Championships, providing a true global showcase of fencing to the world”, said FIE Secretary-General Gulnora Saidova.
“I would like to thank all the participants, including the local Wuxi organisers, volunteers, coaches, athletes, referees, officials and staff, who made these Championships possible and truly memorable. In particular, I extend our sincere appreciation to the Chinese Fencing Association and its President, Mr. Haibin Wang, and Secretary-General and Vice President, Ms. Junyan Wang.”
Other VIPs and dignitaries attending the Wuxi Junior and Cadet Fencing World Championships included FIE Executive Committee Vice Presidents Mr. Donald Anthony, Jr., Mr. Abdelmoneim El Husseiny and Ms. Henriette Tamas; member and Pan American Confederation President Mr. Vitaly Logvin; and Executive Committee members Ms. Rusni Abu Hassan, Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Alqasimi, Mr. Nikolay Ivanov Mateev and Mr. Arno Perillier Schneider.
Authorities attending included Ms. Tiziana D’Angelo, Italian Consul General; Mr. Roccol Carlo Genchi, Italian Deputy Consul General; Mr. Flavio Frasca, Italian Vice Consul; Mr. Liu Tong, Deputy Director of Jiangsu Provincial Sports Bureau; Mr. Qin Yongxin, Vice Mayor of Wuxi Municipal People’s Government; Mr. Gu Wenlong, Deputy Secretary-General of Wuxi Municipal People’s Government; Ms. Chen Yi, Director of Wuxi Sports Bureau; Mr. Yang Yuhua, Party Secretary and Deputy Director of Wuxi Sports Bureau; and Mr. Shen Chen, Deputy Director of Wuxi Industrial Internet Research and Development Center.
Sponsor of the Championships and President of Absolute Fencing, Mr. Gary Lu, was honoured as a special guest and named “Chinese Fencing Association Global Ambassador” by President Haibin Wang.
Also attending the Championships were many former and current Olympic athletes, notably Jose Luis Abajo (ESP), Francesca Bortolozzi (ITA), Zhong Man (CHN), Valentina Vezzali (ITA) and Lei Sheng (CHN).
At the closing ceremony on April 15, the FIE flag was passed by Mr. Gu Wenlong, Deputy Secretary of the Wuxi Municipal Peoples’ Government, to Mr. Arno Perillier Schneider, FIE Executive Committee Member and Brazilian Fencing Federation President for the 2026 Junior and Cadet Fencing World Championships in Rio de Janeiro.
FIE Development Programmes in Wuxi
A number of FIE development programmes were represented at the Wuxi Championships, providing support, information and education for athletes and coaches.
The Donate Your Fencing Gear! programme hosted a stand, receiving donations from generous athletes and coaches to distribute to recipient nations in need. The nations provide the FIE with bids and proposals to be eligible to receive the good-quality, used/recycled fencing gear.
“This year the Donate Your Fencing Gear! Programme showed how fencers, coaches and manufacturers around the world are in the heart of promoting our beloved sport”, said Samer Hashem, FIE SEMI delegate in charge of checking the quality of equipment received.
Multiple individual fencers donated equipment in Wuxi, complemented by donations from founder of Azza Fencing and Tunisian Olympian Azza Besbes, who gave 100 pairs of fencing shoes, and Absolute Fencing, which provided 30 development kits and 10 fencing bags. Beneficiaries in Wuxi receiving equipment included representatives from El Salvador, Kyrgyzstan and Oman.
The FIE Fencing for the Planet programme, as part of a global commitment to sustainability, annually recognized on Saturday of the second weekend in April, took place on April 12. Fencing for the Planet is an ongoing programme meant to inspire and encourage fencers, coaches, supporters, clubs and federations to become involved in environmental projects and practices.
FIE officials were hosted at a local school and its students, joined by members of the Chinese Fencing Federation, symbolically planted a tree and emphasize shared support and commitment to the FIE’s sustainability and environmental initiatives. Uzbekistan fencer Luisa Fernanda Herrera Lara, who participated in the tree planting, said, “Planting this tree symbolizes us growing as a community and growing together, and our commitment to future generations of a sustainable planet.”
“The children were amazing, and our programmes range from kids like these at schools to Olympians in support of Fencing for the Planet”, said FIE Secretary-General Ms. Gulnora Saidova. “We share and follow the IOC dedication and mandate to sustainability.”
Numerous members of the FIE Executive Committee, local Chinese authorities, Olympic fencers and junior champions took part in the event.
The FIE Fair-Play Council was on-site in Wuxi throughout the competition, educating and engaging athletes in sports Fair Play concepts. More than 700 junior and cadet fencers from many nations took part in informational games and activities to learn more about Fair Play and understand the importance of unity and the spirit of sport.
“As in previous years, we played simple games to symbolize team spirit, cooperation and listening and caring about one another” said Gabor Deregan, FIE Fair Play Council President. “Everyone who participated in the games received a USB bracelet or badge. We then had a short time to talk about Fair Play, and the USB bracelet also has all the relevant Fair Play values saved on it.”
“The recently renewed FIE Fair Play Council will soon introduce new activities, while maintaining the good practices in the past. Our aim is to bring the values even closer to athletes and coaches and involve the public much more. It is important that the image of fencing will be strengthened by Fair Play values, and that this be well understood for spectators as well as for those who are involved in the sport. Consequently, I would also ask everyone to send us examples of Fair Play acts that they see or hear about in competition. The most effective way to communicate our values is to show and share good examples for all to follow.”
FIE Safeguarding officers were available throughout the competition and available to support any athletes, coaches, officials or staff. A promotional stand hosted those interested in learning more about safeguarding and its essential concepts, and they were invited to take part in educational activities and fun quizzes to encourage participation and optimize learning. In cooperation with the Fair Play stand, more than 3000 FIE Wuxi lapel pins and informational USB bracelets were given to athletes as prizes for participating.
“Over the course of the Championships we delivered training, education and awareness of Safe Sport and Clean Sport to more than 1,000 young athletes from across the world”, said Georgina Usher, Safeguarding officer and member of the FIE Women in Fencing Council. “For Safe Sport, the focus this year has been on ensuring that athletes are aware of their right to report harassment and abuse to the FIE and the FIE’s commitment to creating environments where all (athletes, coaches and officials) can perform at their best.”
This year’s FIE Training Camp expanded to invite any Championships athletes to take part in the training, in addition to the 30 fencers from 30 nations where fencing is developing whom the FIE supported with travel, training and accommodations. Training took place for six days for each weapon for women and men, instructed and led by elite-level coaches.
In all, about 50 nations participated overall, with 18.4% from Africa, 20.4% from Asia and 30.6% each from Europe and Pan America.
“For the first time the FIE training camp was open to everyone, and we had more than 100 fencers training, learning and having fun”, said Ezequiel Abello Navas, Camp director and member of the FIE Sports Department. “It was an impressive opportunity for fencers from around the world to practice with recognized experts including Mr. Zsolt Nemcisk (HUN), Mr. Kuki Petru (ROU), Mr. Luk Wing Chun (HKG) and Ms. Smiljka Rodić-Stamenković (SRB).”
Notably, two sponsored athletes at the camp had strong results at the Championships. Yasmine Soussi from Tunisia finished in the top 16 of cadet women’s foil and Sebastian Bereche of Peru finished in the top 16 of cadet men’s epee.
Medallists at the 2025 Wuxi Junior and Cadet Fencing World Championships
USA led the medal count for the Championships, with a total of 13 medals (8 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze), followed by Italy with 10 (3 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze) and Egypt with 2 (2 gold). In all, 16 nations earned at least one medal, with medal-earning nations comprising 50% from Europe, 6.25% from Africa, 31.25% from Asia and 12.5% from Pan America.
Day 1
Junior Women’s Individual Sabre
- 1. Aleksandra Mikhailova (AIN, gold)
- 2. Alexandra Lee (USA, silver)
- 3. Qimiao Pan (CHN, bronze)
- 3. Magda Skarbonkiewicz (USA, bronze)
- 5. Summer Fay Sit (HKG)
- 6. Mariella Viale (ITA)
- 7. Xueyi Rao (CHN)
- 8. Gulistan Perdibaeva (UZB)
Junior Men’s Individual Sabre
- 1. Cosimo Bertini (ITA, gold)
- 2. Vlad Covaliu (ROU, silver)
- 3. Tom Couderc (FRA, bronze)
- 3. Benedykt Denkiewicz (POL, bronze)
- 5. Pavel Graudyn (AIN)
- 6. Yassin Khodir (EGY)
- 7. Zuhriddin Kodirov (UZB)
- 8. Moritz Schenkel (GER)
Day 2
Cadet Women’s Individual Sabre
- 1. Amalia Covaliu (ROU, gold)
- 2. Qimiao Pan (CHN, silver)
- 3. Eunchae Jang (KOR, bronze)
- 3. Xuanyi Zhang (USA, bronze)
- 5. Brynnley McKee (USA)
- 6. Natalie Tsui (USA)
- 7. Shuhan Yang (HKG)
- 8. Justine Saussine (FRA)
Cadet Men’s Individual Sabre
- 1. Emilio Paturzo Gonzalez (USA, gold)
- 2. Candeniz Berrak (TÜR, silver)
- 3. Iaroslav Borisov (AIN, bronze)
- 3. Leonardo Reale (ITA, bronze)
- 5. Michael Ene (ROU)
- 6. Petr Taychenachev (AIN)
- 7. Hiroto Morrison Barnard (JPN)
- 8. Julian Maklakov (GER)
Day 3
Junior Women’s Team Sabre
- 1. USA (gold)
- 2. France (silver)
- 3. Uzbekistan (bronze)
- 4. Hungary
- 5. Italy
- 6. Romania
- 7. Korea
- 8. Bulgaria
Junior Men’s Team Sabre
- 1. USA (gold)
- 2. Italy (silver)
- 3. Uzbekistan (bronze)
- 4. Türkiye
- 5. (AIN)
- 6. Romania
- 7. Hungary
- 8. Kazakhstan
Day 4
Junior Women’s Individual Foil
- 1. Jaelyn Liu (USA, gold)
- 2. Matilde Molinari (ITA, silver)
- 3. Jessica Zi Jia Guo (CAN, bronze)
- 3. Polina Volobueva (AIN, bronze)
- 5. Katerina Lung (USA)
- 6. Nok Sze Daphne Chan (HKG)
- 7. Kristina Petrova (UKR)
- 8. Enqi Jiao (CHN)
Junior Men’s Individual Foil
- 1. Abdelrahman Tolba (EGY, gold)
- 2. Aleksandr Kerik (AIN, silver)
- 3. Pavel Puzankov (AIN, bronze)
- 3. Yahor Rabtsau (AIN, bronze)
- 5. Valerii Kornilov (AIN)
- 6. Yifan Guo (CHN)
- 7. Takushin Tanaka (JPN)
- 8. Radmir Semeneev (UZB)
Day 5
Cadet Women’s Individual Foil
- 1. Jaelyn Liu (USA, gold)
- 2. Juhyun Jo (KOR, silver)
- 3. Xinyi Zhuang (CHN, bronze)
- 3. Zhihe Tie (CHN, bronze)
- 5. Zhi Tong (Bonnie) Lin (CAN)
- 6. Gili Kuritzky (ISR)
- 7. Nelli Kudentcova (AIN)
- 8. Giorgia Ruta (ITA)
Cadet Men’s Individual Foil
- 1. Luao Yang (USA, gold)
- 2. Ryoga Ono (JPN, silver)
- 3. Marco Panazzolo (ITA, bronze)
- 3. Aiden Siu (USA, bronze)
- 5. Hyeonseok Ju (KOR)
- 6. Masashi Maeda (JPN)
- 7. Chun Lok Luk (HKG)
- 8. Shing Him Harris Ho (HKG)
Day 6
Junior Women’s Team Foil
- 1. USA (gold)
- 2. Italy (silver)
- 3. Japan (bronze)
- 4. Canada
- 5. France
- 6. Great Britain
- 7. Poland
- 8. Singapore
Junior Men’s Team Foil
- 1. Italy (gold)
- 2. FIE (silver)
- 3. China (bronze)
- 4. France
- 5. Japan
- 6. Great Britain
- 7. Korea
- 8. Singapore
Day 7
Junior Women’s Individual Epee
- 1. Julia Yin (CAN, gold)
- 2. Blanka Virag Nagy (HUN, silver)
- 3. Oliwia Tercjak (POL, bronze)
- 3. Rin Kishimoto (JPN, bronze)
- 5. Allegra Cristofoletto (ITA)
- 6. Victoria Velislavova (BUL)
- 7. Anastasiia Rustamova (AIN)
- 8. Soyeon Kim (KOR)
Junior Men’s Individual Epee
- 1. Mahmoud Elsayed (EGY, gold)
- 2. Matteo Galassi (ITA, silver)
- 3. Maksym Perchuk (UKR, bronze)
- 3. Nikita Gorin (AIN)
- 5. Kruz Schembri (ISV)
- 6. Nathaniel Wimmer (USA)
- 7. Nicholas Zhang (CAN)
- 8. Domonkos Pelle (HUN)
Day 8
Cadet Women’s Individual Epee
- 1. Lotti Horvath (HUN, gold)
- 2. Alina Dmytruk (UKR, silver)
- 3. Haidi Wu (HKG, bronze)
- 3. Alexandra Kravets (ISR, bronze)
- 5. Valeriia Bilous-Gridzhak (UKR)
- 6. Laena Lee (KOR)
- 7. Regina Lee (USA)
- 8. Jiayu Zhao (CHN)
Cadet Men’s Individual Epee
- 1. Nathaniel Wimmer (USA, gold)
- 2. Elisei Pisarev (AIN, silver)
- 3. Nicolo Sonnessa (ITA, bronze)
- 3. Junzhe (Simon) Shan (CAN, bronze)
- 5. Andy Zheng (USA)
- 6. Aron Petrovszki (HUN)
- 7. Thomas Gauliard (FRA)
- 8. Daniel Chirashnya (USA)
Day 9
Junior Women’s Team Epee
- 1. Ukraine (gold)
- 2. China (silver)
- 3. USA (bronze)
- 4. Switzerland
- 5. Korea
- 6. France
- 7. Hungary
- 8. Poland
Junior Men’s Team Epee
- 1. Italy (gold)
- 2. Canada (silver)
- 3. Hong Kong, China (bronze)
- 4. Hungary
- 5. France
- 6. Ukraine
- 7. China
- 8. Estonia