Under 17s and 23s World Championships added to wheelchair fencing calendar

The competition, which returns after a two-year hiatus, will run from 19-21 October at the Brazilian Paralympic Training Center. It is the first time the Champs will be held in the Americas since they began in 2014.

Pal Szekeres, Chair of the IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Executive Committee, said: “We have once again been able to enjoy regular wheelchair fencing in 2022, and it has been fantastic to see athletes return to the piste to do what they do best.

“We are delighted to also be able to add the under 17s and 23s World Championships to the calendar, joining a total of five World Cups and regional Championships taking place this year, and bringing youth competition to the Americas.

“Giving younger athletes the chance to compete against their peers is so important for their growth and the development of wheelchair fencing in general. This pathway has helped produce many Paralympic and senior Worlds medallists over the years and I am excited to see more start their journey in Sao Paulo.

“Alongside the IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Academy launched last year to train new coaches, classifiers, athletes and referees and the satellite World Cups, we have a strong focus on supporting the next generation of fencers across the world.”

The 2022 IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Under 17s and Under 23s World Championships will be staged before the 2022 Americas Championships. Around 40 athletes are expected to compete in men’s and women’s epee, foil and sabre category A and B.

It will be the seventh edition of the competition since the first in Warsaw, Poland, in 2014.

No competitions were possible in 2020 and 2021 due to the global pandemic. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, was the last host in 2019.

Three World Cups have already been held this season in Sao Paulo, Thailand and Poland. In addition, athletes, coaches, referee and classifiers from seven countries are currently in Bengaluru, India, for the 2022 IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Academy.

The next round of the World Cup moves to Pisa, Italy, from 22-25 September ahead of the under 23s and 17s and Americas Championships from 22-25 October. The World Cup will conclude in Eger, Hungary, from 16-20 November before the European Championships round off the season in Warsaw, Poland, from 29 November – 4 December.