The First European Historical Fencing Championships Set a New Standard
The inaugural European Historical Fencing Championships took place in Kalundborg, Denmark, over the weekend, marking a significant step in the development of historical fencing as a competitive discipline. Organized by the Danish Fencing Federation (DFF), this pilot event brought together skilled practitioners from across Europe, showcasing a broad range of historical techniques and weapons, including Sword and Buckler, Long Sword, Military Sabre, and Rapier and Dagger.
The competition saw intense battles across all disciplines. Belgium’s Lander Ramboer showcased his expertise to claim victory in Sword and Buckler, while Stefan Milenkovic of Serbia secured second place. The bronze was shared between Israel’s Morozov Ilyah and Filip Goossens from Belgium. In the Long Sword category, Adam Milovanovic from Serbia delivered an outstanding performance, earning the top spot ahead of Belgium’s Lancelot Vantuyckom, while Aleksandar Ristic (Serbia) and Peere Pieterjan (Belgium) shared third place.
Sunday’s events further reinforced Serbia’s dominance, with Milovanovic claiming another gold in Military Sabre, closely followed by his compatriot Zeljko Glumac. Denmark’s Victor Harder Hesel and Belgium’s Kilian Degryse shared third place in a closely contested final. Hesel also excelled in the Rapier and Dagger category, taking gold, while Milovanovic secured silver. The third-place honors were shared by Serbia’s Glumac and Denmark’s Frederik Ensig.
Reflecting on the event’s success, EFC President Pascal Tesch praised the dedication of the Danish Fencing Federation, stating: “The unofficial European championship in historical fencing was an interesting proof of concept, showcasing the extraordinary commitment of the host. All stakeholders are excited to make the necessary efforts to standardize historical fencing so it can become an official part of EFC’s activities.” He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between national federations and historical fencing enthusiasts to establish a common rulebook, essential for the sport’s structured development.
The championship was not only a competitive milestone but also a celebration of historical fencing’s cultural and technical depth. With growing interest and support from the EFC, this event could pave the way for historical fencing to be fully integrated into the official European fencing landscape in the near future.
For further details, visit the Danish Fencing Federation’s website: https://www.faegtning.dk/hema/hema-em-2025/
