Preview: Regional titles up for grabs in Sao Paulo

The first Americas Championships in four years will get underway in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 22 October with many new faces competing in the wake of development in the region. Venezuela are expected to make their debut and Chile will return for the first time since 2016.

The competition will be broadcast live at the IWAS Wheelchair Fencing website.

Here are some key names to look out for in the first of a series of previews of all weapons.

Men’s epee

Brazil’s Jovane Guissone remains one of the most successful fencers not just in Brazil, but in the Americas region.

Having claimed gold at the last regional Championships in epee in Montreal, Canada, in 2018, Guissone is also the Paralympic silver medallist from Tokyo 2020 and champion from London 2012.

But his record in the epee at this level is not unblemished. In 2016 he lost to fellow Brazilian Rodrigo Massarutt who will also line-up in Sao Paulo.

Guissone will hope to continue a great run of form which in 2022 has seen him maintain a 100 per cent podium record from three World Cups so far.

Brazil’s Moacir Ribeiro won his first major international title when he claimed gold at Montreal 2018 in the category A in 2018 and returns to the piste with similar aspirations in 2022.

Four years ago he faced-off with compatriot Lenilson De Oliveira in the final. However since then Canada’s Ryan Rousell has cemented his reputation as another face to watch.

Rousell is ranked No.23 in the world – far and away the highest seeding – and will be determined to improve on his bronze from the last edition.

Argentina, the USA and Brazil have all entered the men’s team epee which will take place on 23 October.

Women’s epee

The women’s category A is set for a mouth-watering clash between the USA’s Shelby Jensen and Brazil’s Carminha Oliveira.

Oliveira is the silver medallist from four years ago and is ranked 18^th in the world, just two ahead of Jensen.

Jensen missed the podium last time around but went onto secure bronze from the 2019 Under 23s World Championships and a respectable 12^th place finish on her Paralympic debut.

The USA’s Ellen Geddes is currently experiencing her best ever season in the category B with a silver and bronze from two World Cups.

About the 2022 IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Americas Championships

Sao Paulo 2022 runs from 22-25 October and follows the under 23 World Championships being held from 19-21 October in the same location.

As well as the live broadcast, pictures will be available for editorial use here.