The 2015 Asian Under-23 Championships took place between 7 and 12 September 2015 in Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. It is the first time the Mongolian Fencing Federation organised this type of continental championship. For this purpose, it undertook everything necessary to offer the best possible conditions to all participants. The competition hall was perfectly adapted to fencing competitions; the piste installations complied with the FIE rules. The Asian Fencing Confederation and its members have greatly aided the organisation committee, both regarding referees and equipment (material inspection, etc.). The International Fencing Federation has also strongly supported the Mongolian Fencing Federation by providing 5 complete pistes and 5 signalling devices.
31 countries and 314 participants (this figure includes athletes, coaches, officials, and delegates). Korea dominated the rankings, winning 6 gold medals, while Kazakhstan won 3 gold medals, and Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Lebanon one gold medal each. In addition to these, Japan, Taipei, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, and India also won silver and bronze medals, thus showing the steady progress of fencing in Asia.
The Mongolian Fencing Federation received key support from the Mongolian government and the Mongolian National Olympic Committee. It was also able to find a dozen sponsors, including 2 large companies RES LLC and RSTs LLC (Mongolian companies) that covered the budget and the financing for the organisation of this important event. The President of the Mongolian Federation, Mr. Davaatseren Tserevsamba and his Secretary General, Mr. Bat-Erdene Khosbayar, together with 16 other members, did a great job organising these Championships. They were supported by 100 volunteers (chosen from among 260 candidates), who completed 3 days of training prior to the competitions in order to become familiar with the various organisation stages. They did a remarkable job during these Championships.
The Mongolian Minister of Sports and Health, Mr. Shiilegdamba Gankhuyag, the President of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee, Mr. Zagdsuren Demchigjav, the General Secretary of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee, Mr. Otgontsagaan Jugder, the General Secretary of the FIE, Mr. Frédéric Pietruszka, the President of the Asian Fencing Confederation, Dr. Celso Dayrit, the President of the Oceania Fencing Federation, Mrs. Helen Smith, the President of the Mongolian Fencing Federation, Mr. Davaatseren Tserevsamba, the General Secretary of the Mongolian Fencing Federation, Mr. Bat-Erdene Khosbayar and various National Federation Presidents belonging to this continent attended the competitions, their presence providing great support to athletes and the delegations.
By organising these Championships, the Mongolian Fencing Federation had the opportunity to accumulate a great deal of experience in terms of organising large events, and it is now considering the organisation of a World Cup in the near future.
Ahead of these Championships, the General Assembly of the Asian Fencing Confederation took place on 7 September 2015 in Ulaanbaatar. The Asian Fencing Confederation approved the 2016-2017 competitions calendar for the continent, as well as other subjects relevant to the continent. 34 countries participated. The General Secretary of the FIE, Mr. Frédéric Pietruszka, and the President of the Oceania Fencing Confederation, Mrs. Helen Smith, participated in the General Assembly of this Confederation.
The next Asian Under-23 Championships will take place in Tokyo in 2016.
AO Jie
Deputy Sport Director