Nominees for wheelchair fencing Athletes’ Council published

Four women and three men from three continents will go for a position on the Council. Six will be elected by their peers during the 2023 World Championships in Terni, Italy, on 5-6 October.

The mission of the Athletes’ Council is to be the voice of fencers, examining all issues that concern athletes and making representations to the wheelchair fencing Executive Committee or World Abilitysport Board and staff.

Nominees are:

Moez El Assine (FRA)

Gemma Collis (GBR)

Andrii Demchuk (UKR)

Emanuele Lambertini (ITA)

Paula Lubianca (BRA)

Judith Rodriguez (ESP)

YU Chui Yee (HKG)

All nominations were reviewed by World Abilitysport and wheelchair fencing representatives to ensure they met eligibility criteria, including those around clean sport and conduct. The athletes have also all competed in at least one World Championships or Paralympic Games and had to be nominated by a World Abilitysport member in good standing.

Pal Szekeres, Chair of the wheelchair fencing Executive Committee, said: “It is crucial that we continue to raise the voice of wheelchair fencers and encourage them into leadership positions within the sport. The Committee is looking forward to working with the new Athletes’ Council and extends its thanks to those outgoing members for their work in the last four years.

“For these elections we are delighted to see that we have more women than men nominated. This shows a growing recognition nationally and internationally of the relevance and power of female representation in wheelchair fencing.

“As a former wheelchair fencer myself, I encourage all athletes to vote in the elections, engage with the Council and ensure your voice is heard.”

According to the Athletes’ Council Nomination and Election Regulations, all seven nominees will be on the ballot paper at the World Championships in Terni. Athletes can vote, in-person and via secret ballot, for a maximum of six candidates. However, only three male and three female candidates will be elected. Athletes must bring their accreditation with them to the election area to receive a ballot paper and vote.

The votes will then be counted and verified. The whole election process will be overseen by World Abilitysport staff.

The six members who are elected will be announced on the wheelchair fencing website and social media. Within four weeks of the announcement, the Athletes’ Council will then elect their own Chairperson from within their number. The name of the Chairperson will also be publicised. Members of the Council will serve a four-year term.

The Terni 2023 Wheelchair Fencing World Championships will be held from 3-8 October at the newly built PalaTerni venue. Athletes will go for world titles across epee, foil and sabre in men’s and women’s individual, team and mixed events in categories A, B and C. The competition is also a key qualification opportunity for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.