Cadets and Juniors ECH Highlights

Europe’s Rising Stars Shine in Antalya 

The 2025 Cadet and Junior European Fencing Championships in Antalya provided an exhilarating showcase of young talent, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable performances. With over 776 fencers and 119 teams, the tournament once again affirmed Europe's depth of skill and the promising future of its athletes on the global stage. 

Cadet Highlights: Italy’s Dominance and Türkiye’s Rising Stars 

In the cadet category, Italy emerged as the dominant force, securing an impressive 12 medals (6 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze) and sweeping multiple team events. Türkiye followed closely, with standout victories in both individual and team saber events, while Hungary, Ukraine, and Poland also demonstrated remarkable strength in specific disciplines. 

Among the individual winners, Hungary’s Donát Kiss (Men’s Épée) and Hunor Kosztolányi (Men’s Foil) continued their nation’s tradition of excellence. Türkiye’s Alara Atmaca (Women’s Foil) and Candeniz Berrak (Men’s Saber) delighted home fans with golden performances. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Alina Dmytruk dominated Women’s Épée, solidifying her reputation as one of the top young epeeists. 

The team competitions saw Italy excelling in Men’s Épée, Women’s Foil, and Women’s Saber, while Ukraine shone in Women’s Épée. Türkiye’s Men’s Saber team also stood atop the podium, further emphasizing their growing dominance in this discipline. 

In total, six different nations claimed gold medals in cadet individual events, highlighting the competitive depth of the championship. 

Cadet Medal Table: 

Winners of the 2024–2025 European Cadet Circuit 

As the continental circuit concluded ahead of the European Championships, the following fencers and teams emerged victorious: 

Individual Winners: 

• Men’s Foil Cadets: Lauro Falchetto (AUT) 

• Women’s Sabre Cadets: Anna Kalliopi Kourousi (GRE) 

• Men’s Sabre Cadets: Yigit Ayaz (TUR) 

• Women’s Épée Cadets: Linea Eriksson (SWE) 

• Men’s Épée Cadets: Francesco Delfino (ITA) 

• Women’s Foil Cadets: Alara Atmaca (TUR) 

Team Winners: 

• Men’s Foil Cadets: France 

• Women’s Foil Cadets: Poland 

• Men’s Épée Cadets: France 

• Women’s Épée Cadets: Ukraine 

• Men’s Sabre Cadets: Türkiye 

• Women’s Sabre Cadets: Türkiye 

Junior Category: Great Britain Makes a Statement 

The junior events provided thrilling matches and dramatic victories, with Italy once again leading the medal tally. However, Great Britain made a major impact, winning two gold medals in team events—Men’s Épée and Men’s Foil—signaling their growing presence at the highest levels of European fencing. 

Hungary’s Domonkos Pelle triumphed in Men’s Épée, while Italy’s Matilde Molinari added to her country’s legacy in Women’s Foil. Ukraine’s Anna Maksymenko showcased her dominance in Women’s Épée, and Pavel Graudyn and Aleksandr Kerik delivered strong performances for the neutral team (AIN) in Men’s Saber and Men’s Foil. 

Romania’s junior women’s saber team also had a remarkable victory, capturing gold and further strengthening their nation’s tradition in the discipline. 

Junior competitions saw five different nations win individual gold medals, proving the strength of European fencing talent across various disciplines. 

Junior Medal Table: 

Looking Ahead: Road to Wuxi 

As the dust settles in Antalya, Europe’s finest young fencers now set their sights on the 2025 Cadet and Junior World Championships in Wuxi, China (April 7–15, 2025). With strong showings from multiple nations in Antalya, the European contingent is poised to challenge for global supremacy once again. 

Stay tuned as these rising stars take their next steps onto the world stage, representing the future of European fencing!