Young Fencers Excel in Key Pre-Championship Events
The weekend of February 8-9, 2025, brought high-level fencing action to Krakow, Prague, and Sofia, where young athletes competed in the final test before the Cadet European Championships in Turkey. These tournaments showcased the rising stars of European fencing, as they refined their skills ahead of the season’s most significant event.
Cadet Circuit Krakow – Epee (Poland)
The cadet epee competitions in Krakow featured remarkable performances, with Belgium’s Wout Van Laecke securing victory in the men’s individual event, while Ukraine’s Arsenii Bondarchuk claimed silver. The women’s event saw a strong showing from Ukraine as well, with Alina Dmytruk taking gold ahead of her compatriot Alisa Zalizna. Team events brought further excitement, with France capturing the men’s epee title, while Czechia’s first team delivered a dominant performance to win the women’s category.
Cadet Circuit Prague – Sabre (Czechia)
Prague hosted the cadet sabre event, where Turkey’s fencers demonstrated their strength. Yigit Ayaz led the way with a gold-medal performance in the men’s individual event, followed by Candeniz Berrak in second place. The women’s competition was equally dynamic, with Irmak Senoglu clinching the title. The team events reinforced Turkey’s dominance, with their squad emerging victorious in the men’s category, while Poland’s second team outperformed strong opponents to win gold in the women’s team competition.
Cadet Circuit Sofia – Foil (Bulgaria)
Sofia provided a stage for the best cadet foilists, with American fencers making their presence felt in the men’s event, as Arjun Deshmukh secured first place, followed by his teammate Riccardo Sisinni. In the women’s category, Turkey’s Alara Atmaca delivered a standout performance, finishing ahead of Germany’s Merle Herwig. The team competitions saw the United States prevail in the men’s event, while Germany celebrated victory in the women’s category.
U14 European Circuit Sofia – Foil (Bulgaria)
Adding to the action in Sofia, the U14 European Circuit saw emerging talents take their first steps on the international stage. Turkey’s Ahmet Sarp Kahya and Beril Demir claimed gold in the men’s and women’s foil events, respectively, while competitors from Greece, Czechia, Romania, and Great Britain also secured podium finishes.
Looking Ahead
With the season progressing, attention now shifts to the upcoming Under-23 European Circuit events. On February 15-16, the EFC FFE Circuit in Antony, France, will feature foil competitions for both men and women, while Budapest will host the Under-23 European Circuit in sabre. These events promise another weekend of top-tier fencing before the focus turns to Antalya, where the European Championships for cadets and juniors will take place in two weeks. Stay tuned for more updates and results from the European Fencing Confederation.
