The International Fencing Federation (FIE) brought together fencers, coaches and specialists from different countries in Hong Kong, China, for a six-day training camp held from 16 to 21 July. The initiative was designed as a high-level preparation opportunity ahead of the 2026 Fencing World Championships, while also providing athletes from different federations with a chance to share knowledge, experiences and working methods in an international environment. Through this initiative, the FIE aims to expand access to training and support opportunities that contribute to the development of the sport beyond the traditional major fencing powers.
The camp also had an especially relevant practical component for those competing in Hong Kong: participants were able to familiarise themselves in advance with the climate, time zone, logistics, training rhythm and general conditions of the competition environment. All athletes who competed at the World Championships were invited to attend, with particular emphasis on facilitating participation from representatives of smaller national federations. The FIE funded the participation of 25 athletes from 24 federations, while more than 50 additional fencers funded their own participation and joined the sessions on different days, creating a diverse training group in terms of both background and experience.
Specialised training in épée, foil and sabre
The programme covered all three fencing weapons — épée, foil and sabre — through two daily training sessions. The schedule combined mobility and warm-up work with technical exercises, partner drills, individual lessons, thematic bouts, free fencing and competition simulations. The variety of formats allowed athletes to work on specific aspects of their execution as well as situations that arise during a bout, creating an environment where tactical decisions and adaptation to opponents played a central role. The camp took place at K11 Atelier, while FIE-sponsored athletes also received accommodation at Harbour Plaza North Point, transfers, meals and local assistance.
The technical programme was led by FIE-appointed coaches: Xu Xuening, from China, worked with the épée specialists; Donatella Guercia, from Italy, led the foil group; and Pablo Rey Anaya, from Spain, directed the sabre training. The foil group also received support from local coach Luk Wing Chun, a graduate of the Budapest Fencing Academy. Beyond the group sessions, the coaches assessed each participant’s individual performance and prepared specific feedback for every fencer, providing clear priorities for continued work after the camp and allowing that learning to be incorporated into their regular training process with their respective coaches.
Athlete development and safe sport
The sporting preparation was complemented by activities focused on the participants’ overall development. One of the fencers attending was Zohra Nora Kehli, a sabre specialist and member of the FIE Athletes’ Commission. The Algerian fencer was also selected as an athlete role model for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, where she will be responsible for supporting and inspiring young athletes through her experience in international competitions. Her participation connects competitive experience with a mentoring dimension, particularly relevant for athletes beginning to face the demands, pressure and uncertainty inherent in high-performance sport.
The camp also incorporated the perspective of safe sport as part of the fencers’ development. Participants attended a session led by Gloria Viseras, Senior Director of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Safe Sport Unit, focused on the importance of creating safe, respectful and supportive training and competition environments for all athletes. In this way, preparation in Hong Kong was not limited to technical and tactical work: it also included discussions about the conditions in which athletes develop their careers and the shared responsibility of maintaining appropriate environments for sport.
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