2011 Under-23 European Fencing Championships to set off today in Kazan: Fencing News
2011 Under-23 European Fencing Championship (EFC) is all set to be held at the “Ak Bars” Single Combats Palace in Kazan in Tatarstan, Russia from May 27- 31 among both Men's and Women's category. This continental youth fencing forum is being organised by
the Russian Fencing Federation.
This will be the fourth edition of the championship since it got originated in 2008, in Monza, Italy four years back. Since then, it has been hosting at various European states each year.
The event comprises of all six weapon disciplines, consisting of both the gender groups of the U-23 age group. This model has resulted in initiatives taken by other continental confederations like the Asian Fencing Confederation will hold its first U-23
competition in this year.
From the birthplace of this competition, Italy, a total of 24 individual fencers are expected to show their presence in this competition.
Considering the results of the last three EFCs, the Italian fencers were the stand-outs in each year, collecting a total of 16 medals in their last three appearances.
The 2011 edition will inaugurate with the individual competitions of both men and women. These will be Men’s epee and Women’s sabre. Moreover, the team events will be conducted in the last two days in Kazan including Men’s epee, women’s foil and women’s
sabre on Monday, May 30 whereas Women’s epee, Men’s foil and Men’s sabre team competitions on Tuesday, May 31.
From the home soil, eight fencers are expected to participate in the event. These involve two sabre and foil individuals each and four epee fencers, all from Tatarstan.
According to the Russian senior coach, Sergey Sharikov, the fencers to represent Russia are 23 in number, out of which most of them keep competing for the national fencing squad of Russia. Among these 23, there are the fencing stars Alexandr Velikanov for
Men’s epee and Kamilla Gafurzyanova for Women’s foil competition.
These fencers are in hopes of occupying the top places at the event, but the fencers from Italy, Hungary and France are all set to prove their competency over the host opponents.
Sharikov commented, “There is no doubt, that such top competitions as European U23 Championships will play an important part for the young fencers, mastering professional fencing skills, with the view to their coming transfer from the juniors category to
the seniors. The event is beneficial from all the view points, since it is filling the gap in the Euro Calendar.”
On the whole, a total of 600 fencers from 30 different states of Europe are expected to be a part of this event. Just before the opening ceremony today, there will be a press conference held at the venue Ak Bars, the Wrestling Palace, with not just participants,
but organisers of the event too.
The schedule of the Under-23 European championship comprises of the following events:
May 27
Men’s Epee Individuals
Women’s Sabre Individuals
Opening Ceremony
Final
May 28
Women’s Foil Individuals
Men’s Sabre Individuals
Final
May 29
Men’s Foil Individuals
Women’ Epee Individuals
Final
May 30
Men’s Epee Team
Women’s Sabre Team
Women’s Foil Team
May 31
Women’s Epee Team
Men’s Sabre Team
Men’s Foil Team
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