Pisa wheelchair fencing World Cup cancelled

The competition was not a qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics but was due to host the latest IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Congress. Instead the Congress will now take place online on 21 November.

IWAS President Rudi van Den Abbeele said: “Sadly the Pisa World Cup has become the latest cancellation as a result of COVID-19.

“We wanted it to be a return to the piste for athletes where they could ease back into competition without too much pressure after a long pause. However the Local Organising Committee did not feel confident in hosting and withdrew their bid. IWAS Wheelchair Fencing supports their decision.

“We have had many successful events in Pisa over the years and know that there will be many more to come in the future.”

The IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Congress takes place every two years and is a chance for the sport’s community to come together to hear the latest plans from the Executive Committee, table motions for changes and vote on a range of issues.

The 2020 edition will be held online with more details to follow shortly.

The next competition on the calendar is the 2020 IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Asian Championships – a qualifier for Tokyo 2020 – and Under 17 and Under 23 World Championships. They will take place as part of the IWAS World Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, from 10-17 December.

The IWAS World Games feature multiple sports and are a key stop on the road to the Paralympic Games. They have been the proving ground for many athletes who have gone on to become Paralympic champions.