Following last weekend’s Budapest Sabre World Cup, Olympic qualification continues this Friday with the start of the Kazan Men’s and Women’s Epee World Cup.
Women’s Epee Preview
Going into the event Russia and Poland have secured their qualification in the top four whilst Italy is also confirmed. In fact Italy have the chance to jump into the top four, thus releasing the European place. Estonia, who currently occupy the place left vacant with no African team qualified, are the likely beneficiaries but Ukraine and France are also in the running. The many possible outcomes make for a mouth-watering prospect.
In the individual standings, Ana Maria Popescu of Romania has secured her qualification already with Coraline Vitalis of France standing in the second individual European place. Ukraine’s Olena Kryvytska could overtake Vitalis if she makes the quarterfinals – or if France qualify by team.
Men’s Sabre Preview
Going into the event only France and Italy have already secured qualification. Switzerland and Ukraine also sit in the top four with Hungary holding the additional place for a European team. Like in the women’s discipline, there are many permutations but if Switzerland and Ukraine perform as they have done throughout qualification, they will expect to confirm their place at the Tokyo Games. The only remaining unanswered question will be whether Hungary can hold off Russia in the race for the European place.
The individual race is equally compelling as Russia’s Sergey Bida and Bas Verwijlen of the Netherlands go to Kazan holding the two European places. Bida’s presence in Tokyo is confirmed as he can’t be caught. However, the Russian may not need his spot if Russia qualify by team. Should they do that then it’s likely the Hungary or Ukraine will miss out. That would bring either (or potentially both) Igor Reizlin and Gergely Siklosi into play.
With so much to play for it is likely that we will not know who has qualified through the team or individual rankings until late on the last day of competition. The Kazan World Cup is the final opportunity to qualify by rankings and takes place 19-23 March.
European countries who have not qualified any athletes by the team or individual rankings, will be able to send up to one male and one female sabre fencer to the European Olympic qualifier, due to take place in Madrid 24-25 April – the final Olympic qualification event for Europeans.
