The numbers say it all. At the last Veterans World Fencing Championships, held from October 11 to 16 at Beach's Ocean Center in Daytona, Florida, 547 fencers competed for the 24 world titles, in foil, saber and epee, individually and per team. They represented 42 countries on four continents.
On the last day of competition, thirteen countries appeared on the medal table, with at least one place on the podium in one or other of the three age categories (50 and over, 60 and over, over 70 years). In the lead, the United States, hosts of the event, with 24 medals including 13 gold. A short distance away, France (16 medals including three gold), followed by Italy (11 medals including three gold). Three of the sure values of world fencing.
The numbers say it all. They summarize the universality of a global competition organized every year. They reflect the growing popularity of fencing among veterans. But they don't tell the whole story. In Daytona, the 2023 Worlds have moved up another step. They pushed the walls.
Dieter Lammer, the technical and sporting director of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), present in Florida at the heart of the event, explains: “ The organization was of a very high level. The conditions were optimal. The difference between the senior and veteran championships is becoming smaller and smaller. The Americans have really set the bar very high. »
The FIE also played its role in the success of the event. The body provided its expertise. Above all, she brought to the 2023 Veterans Worlds all the elements required for an event displaying her name and logo. The attacks benefited from video refereeing and the athletes from an appeals room. The FIE held the setting for its youth and senior world championships at the Beach’s Ocean Center in Daytona: presentation of the fencers, podium ceremonies, etc. “ The Veteran World Championships have the FIE label, they are official world championships, they must also have the standards, summarizes Dieter Lammer. The athletes appreciated it. They feel more and more respected."
The future ? It will show the same requirement. But bigger. From the 2025 edition, the veterans category will expand its walls to accommodate a new age category. The competition will be open to athletes aged 40 to 49. A first in the history of the event.
The request was made by the Veterans Council, chaired by Frenchman Benoît Pincemaille. It was accepted at the last FIE Congress, as an experiment. “ This decision should significantly increase participation, anticipates Dieter Lammer. It will also fill a void by giving fencers in the 40/49 age group new motivation to pursue their careers at a competitive level. Today, many of them were taking a break, due to the lack of a major competition every year. »
The change in dimensions will not be without consequences on the format of the event. Currently concentrated over six days, they should extend over time to reach eight. “A challenge for the organizers,” recognizes Dieter Lammer. But there has never been a shortage of host countries for a competition with lower organizational costs than the senior world championships, but guaranteed a large and global participation. The next edition will take place in the United Arab Emirates.
