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Doha Fencing Grand Prix 2026 to begin on Friday
January 22, 2026
22-January-2026
Doha Fencing Grand Prix 2026 to begin on Friday
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
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