DOHA - Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, crowned Hungarian player Ester Mohari with the gold medal in the women’s category at the conclusion of the Doha 2026 Grand Prix Fencing Championship.The event was conducted by the Qatar Fencing Federation under the supervision of the International Fencing Federation, with great success at the Aspire Halls for 3 days, with the participation of 433 players, including 254 male players and 179 female players representing 53 countries, including 8 Arab countries: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Tunisia and the UAE.Thomas Bach, Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee, awarded the gold medal to Dutch player Tristan Tolan in the men’s category, while Abdul Moneim Al Husseini, President of the International Fencing Federation, awarded the silver medal to Italian Simone Mencarelli, and Abdullah Ali Al Ghanim, President of the Qatar Fencing Federation, awarded the bronze medal to players Dimitri Joseph and Hungarian Gergely Szekoly (ranked first in the world).In the men’s singles final, Dutchman Tristan Tolan won the title after defeating his Italian opponent Simone Mencarelli with a score of (15 - 7), with the latter taking the silver.The bronze medal went to Dimitri Joseph (playing under a neutral flag) after he lost in the semi-finals to Dutchman Tristan Tolan (12-7), and the bronze was also won by Hungarian Gergely Szekossi (world number one) after he lost to Italian Simone Mencarelli (world number 59) (15-9) in the second semi-final match.In the women’s singles final, Hungary’s Ester Mohari won the title and the gold medal after defeating her French opponent Alexandra Louis-Marie 15-5, with Alexandra taking the silver.Frenchwoman Alexandra Louise Marie had won in the semi-finals against her compatriot Marie Florence Kandasamy by a score of 15 to 12, while Hungarian player Ester Muhari had defeated Ukrainian Anna Maksymenko by a score of 15 to 14 in the semi-finals as well. Thus, the French player Marie Florence Kandasamy and the Ukrainian Anna Maksymenko won bronze medals.The Doha 2026 Grand Prix Epee tournament is considered one of the top 3 tournaments in the world after the Grand Prix in Hungary and the Grand Prix in Colombia, and its points count towards the world ranking of players.The tournament prizes total $22,000, with the winner receiving $5,000, the runner-up winner receiving $3,000, and the third and third-place winners each receiving $1,500.It is worth mentioning that the Grand Prix Fencing Championship includes 9 rounds in different countries around the world in the three weapons “Epee, Foil and Sabre”, with 3 rounds for each weapon, and each round is held in one country.Hamad Saad Al-Jassim, Deputy Director of the Doha 2026 Grand Prix Fencing Championship, expressed his delight that the tournament was presented in the best possible way, both technically and organizationally, and that the current edition achieved great success. 

DOHA – Excitement remained high on the second day of the Doha 2026 Fencing Grand Prix, as top-level men’s and women’s épée competitions continued at Aspire. The three-day event, organized by the Qatar Fencing Federation under the supervision of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), brings together 433 fencers from 53 countries, including eight Arab nations: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Tunisia, and the UAE.The day was marked by a high-profile visit from  Mr. Thomas Bach, Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee, alongside Abdel Moneim El-Husseini, President of the International Fencing Federation, and Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the Asian and UAE Fencing Federations. They were welcomed by Abdullah Ali Al-Ghanem, President of the Qatar Fencing Federation, and senior federation officials.The guests toured the Aspire venue, checked the competition facilities, visited the training and weapons control areas, met fencers, coaches, and referees, and watched parts of the matches. Bach praised Qatar’s excellent organization and the modern technical systems used in the championship.On the piste, the men’s preliminary rounds delivered strong and competitive bouts, with fencers battling for places in the knockout stages. Several top international athletes advanced smoothly to the next rounds after impressive performances.Qatar’s fencers also made positive progress. Youssef Abdul-Tawab reached the round of 128 for the first time before losing to Portugal’s Filipe Frazao, while Abdulrahman Al-Jidrah reached the round of 256 and narrowly lost after a tough contest. Their participation offers valuable experience against some of the world’s best-ranked fencers.The championship concludes on Sunday with the main round of 64 for women and men, as world champions and the top 16 ranked fencers enter the competition. Among the stars expected to compete is Japan’s Koki Kano, Olympic gold medalist at Paris 2024, along with several Olympic medalists and the defending Doha Grand Prix champion.A total of 19 referees are officiating the event, including three from Qatar. Championship officials expressed their satisfaction with the smooth running of the competition and the application of new international fencing rules, highlighting the tournament’s high technical and organizational standards. 

Doha: The competitions of the Doha Fencing Grand Prix 2026 (men’s and women’s épée) will get underway tomorrow, Friday, at Aspire, and will continue for three days. The event is organised by the Qatar Fencing Federation under the supervision of the International Fencing Federation (FIE).The championship features the participation of 433 athletes (254 men and 179 women) representing 53 countries, including eight Arab nations: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.The Qatar Fencing Federation has completed all preparations through its ten organising committees to ensure the championship is delivered to the highest standards and to present an exceptional and distinguished edition of the event.The tournament will bring together world and Olympic champions, including the top three-ranked athletes globally in both categories. Among them are Japanese fencer Koki Kano, gold medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, several Olympic champions from Tokyo, as well as Belgian fencer Neisser Loyola, the winner of the previous edition of the Doha Grand Prix.Qatar will be represented by nine fencers (five men and four women): Youssef Abdel Tawab, Mohammed Abdulali, Mohammed Al-Hazzaz, Abdulrahman Al-Jidrah and Ali Al-Khalaf, in addition to Fatima Al-Madeed, Zikrayat Al-Abdullah, Wadha Al-Abdullah and Sheikha Ali.Qatari national team athletes are aiming to progress to the advanced rounds and achieve strong results to improve their international rankings. They have prepared thoroughly for the championship through participation in several continental and Arab tournaments, as well as through local and overseas training camps.The competitions will be officiated by 19 referees, including three Qatari referees: Mohammed Al-Tairi, Mohammed Basahil and Bashir Al-Sharbaji.This edition will also see the participation of a large number of volunteers, with their number exceeding 150 volunteers, contributing to the successful organisation of the championship.The championship offers total prize money of USD 22,000, with USD 11,000 allocated to the men’s competition and an equal amount to the women’s competition. The first-place winner in each category will receive USD 5,000, the runner-up USD 3,000, while both third-place finishers will receive USD 1,500 each.The Doha Epée Grand Prix 2026 is considered one of the top three fencing tournaments worldwide, alongside the Grand Prix events in Hungary and Colombia. Leading international fencers are keen to participate annually due to the significant ranking points awarded, which have a major impact on the world rankings.Mr. Hamad Saad Al-Jassim, Deputy Tournament Director, confirmed that all arrangements have been finalised for the launch of the championship tomorrow, aiming to deliver an outstanding edition that adds to the Qatar Fencing Federation’s record of successful hosting.In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al-Jassim said that the organising committee has fully prepared the competition hall, where bouts will be held across 16 pistes, in addition to the main piste designated for the finals.He noted that all participating delegations have arrived in Doha and conducted training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday at Aspire, following comprehensive inspection and testing of all equipment.Al-Jassim explained that competition will begin tomorrow with the women’s preliminary rounds, followed by the Round of 128, concluding the first day with the Round of 64. Men’s competitions will take place on Saturday, starting with preliminary rounds and followed by the Round of 64.The championship will conclude on Sunday, with the continuation of the women’s Round of 64, then the Round of 32, Round of 16 and quarter-finals. Men’s competitions will then resume from the Round of 64 through to the quarter-finals, followed in the evening by the semi-finals and finals for both men and women, and the medal ceremonies.He also confirmed that medical teams, the anti-doping control committee, and the Qatar Red Crescent will be present throughout the three days of competition 

DOHA - The organizing committee of the Doha 2026 Grand Prix Fencing Championship unveiled details of the new edition of the tournament to be held from January 23 to 25 at the Aspire Hall.Present at the launch press conference at Aspire Academy on Sunday were Abdullah Ali Al Ghanim, President of the Qatar Fencing Federation, Ali Salem Afifa, Deputy Director General of Aspire Academy, Khalid Suwaid, Tournament Director, Hamad Saad Al Jassim, Deputy Tournament Director, and members of the federation.Abdullah Ali Al Ghanim, President of the Qatar Fencing Federation, said that this is the 21st edition of the tournament, is considered as one of the largest Grand Prix tournaments organized by the International Fencing Federation.Hamad Saad Al Jassim, Deputy Director of the Championship, confirmed that this year’s edition will witness the participation of 433 male and female players, with 254 male players and 179 female players representing 53 countries, led by the top three ranked players in the world in the two categories, and Olympic champions, including Japanese Koki Kano, winner of the gold medal at Paris 2024 Olympics, winners of the Tokyo Olympics, and Belgian Nacer Lajola, winner of the title of the previous edition of the Grand Prix Fencing Championship in Doha.Regarding Arab participation, Al Jassem said the tournament will see participation of players from eight Arab countries: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Tunisia, and the UAE.He pointed out that Qatar will participate with 9 players, 5 men and 4 women, namely: Youssef Abdel-Tawab, Mohammed Abdel Ali, Mohammed Al Hazza, Abdulrahman Al Jadra, Ali Al Khalaf, Fatima Al Madid, Dhikrayat Al Abdullah, Wadha Al Abdullah, and Sheikha Ali. They have prepared for this event by participating in many external tournaments, whether continental or Arab, and also through internal and external preparatory camps.He also noted that the tournament will see the participation of 19 referees managing the competitions, including 3 referees from Qatar, namely Mohammed Al Tairi, Mohammed Basahel and Bashir Al Sharbaji.The deputy director of the tournament said that the organizing committee relies heavily on volunteers to make the tournament a success, and their number in the current edition has exceeded 150 volunteers, which is a very large number... praising their important role in the successful organization of the competitions.Al Jassim has invited the public to attend the tournament competitions at Aspire and enjoy watching the world and Olympic champions.Ali Salem Afifa, Deputy Director General of Aspire Academy, expressed his pride that the Grand Prix Fencing Championship (Doha 2026) will be held at the Aspire Academy Hall, describing the championship as one of the most successful championships in which a large number of the academy’s students participate and we look forward to them achieving positive results.He said: “We have been partners with the Qatar Fencing Federation since 2006 to hold this tournament in Aspire, and we will provide all support to the federation. There are agreements between us, and we wish them success.”Prizes totaling $22,000, with $11,000 will be distributed to the winners of the top three places in the men’s category and the same among the winners in the women’s category. The winner of first place in the men’s or women’s category receives $5,000, the runner-up receives $3,000, and the third place player receives $1,500.