BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- As the world eagerly anticipates the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the fencing events promise to be among the most thrilling. With the competition set in the historical and cultural heart of France, the Grand Palais will provide a spectacular backdrop.
Host nation France and Italy have historically been dominant forces in fencing, and Paris 2024 is expected to be no different, as these two are the only teams that have registered the maximum quota of athletes per National Olympic Committee (NOC) - a total of 18 fencers, nine per gender.
Buoyed by the support of the home crowd, France is expected to shine in every weapon category with their blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars, including Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Romain Cannone and world champion Yannick Borel, who is known for his powerful style and consistency. Six-time World Cup winner Manon Apithy-Brunet will also be aiming to improve on her women's sabre bronze from Tokyo.
Italy, who leads the all-time Olympic fencing medal table, is expected to bounce back after falling flat in Tokyo with only two silver and three bronze medals. Rio 2016 champion Daniele Garozzo and current world No. 1 Tommaso Marini will be key contenders for gold in the men's foil. On the women's side, world champions Arianna Errigo and Alice Volpi, as well as 22-year-old Martina Favaretto, are all formidable competitors.
Italy's biggest rival in the foil events is the United States. Lee Kiefer became the first American to win an individual foil gold in Tokyo after stunning Olympic champion Inna Deriglazova of Russia. Her husband Gerek Meinhardt, an International Fencing Federation Hall of Famer, will be making his fifth Olympic appearance after claiming two team bronzes in 2016 and 2021.
Hungary's rich fencing tradition continues with strong contenders in the men's sabre and epee. Star fencer Aron Szilagyi achieved an unprecedented three consecutive golds in the men's individual sabre at the London, Rio and Tokyo Olympics. Currently ranked fifth in the world, 34-year-old Szilagyi has only won one World Cup event this season. Whether he can continue his brilliance on his fifth Olympic appearance remains a big question mark.
Oh Sang-uk might be the one to pose a challenge in Szilagyi's title defense, as South Korea has marked its dominance in sabre with two men's team golds from the London and Tokyo Games. Decorated veteran Gu Bon-gil's World Cup and Asian championship success will be invaluable for South Korea.
In addition to these powerhouses, countries like China, Japan, Ukraine, Egypt and Estonia will also pose strong competitions. Some notable fencers are Sun Yiwen of China, Vivian Kong Man Wai and Cheung Ka Long of Hong Kong, China, Misaki Emura and Koki Kano of Japan and Olga Kharlan of Ukraine.
The fencing events will take place from July 27 to August 4, featuring men's and women's foil, sabre and epee in both individual and team forms. ■
