Italy completes golden finale as 49th CISM World Military Fencing Championship closes in Hungary
VESZPRÉM-BALATONAKARATTYA (HUN) – Four days of high-level military fencing came to an end on Thursday, 1 October 2026, as Italy captured the final two titles of the 49th CISM World Military Fencing Championship before the CISM family gathered for the Closing Ceremony and Gala Dinner in Balatonakarattya.
The final competition day at the One Veszprém Arena was entirely devoted to team fencing, with the Men’s Sabre and Women’s Foil titles still to be decided. Both competitions ultimately ended with Italy on top of the podium, providing a golden conclusion to a championship that had delivered closely contested bouts and medals across a wide range of nations.
In the Men’s Sabre team competition, Italy’s Edoardo Cantini, Dario Cavaliere and Marco Mastrullo began their campaign with a convincing 45-26 victory over Germany before facing Ukraine in the semifinal. Ukraine had defeated Peru 45-14 in its opening match, but the Italians prevailed 45-40 to book their place in the final.
South Korea emerged from the other half of the tableau. After receiving a bye into the semifinals, the Korean team faced Poland, which had defeated France 45-38 in the quarterfinals. Korea then produced a strong performance to overcome Poland 45-30 and set up a final against Italy.
The title bout proved considerably tighter. Italy established an early advantage and reached 15-12 after the opening three relays. Cantini, Cavaliere and Mastrullo continued to keep Korea at distance as the match progressed, extending the lead to 30-22 and then 40-32. Korea refused to surrender, however, and Junho Park produced a strong final relay against Cavaliere to bring his team back into contention. The Italian had enough in hand to finish the job, securing the decisive touches for a 45-42 victory.
Italy therefore claimed gold ahead of South Korea, while Ukraine completed the podium with bronze. Poland finished fourth, followed by Germany, France and Peru.
The Women’s Foil team competition provided Italy with the opportunity to complete a remarkable final day. Irene Bertini, Alessia Di Carlo, Carlotta Ferrari and Aurora Grandis entered the event as the top-seeded team and immediately demonstrated their ambitions with a 45-28 victory over France. Ukraine then stood between Italy and the final, but another controlled performance saw the Italians advance 45-24.
On the opposite side of the draw, host nation Hungary produced an emphatic 45-5 victory over Canada before facing Poland in the semifinal. Poland had opened with a 45-9 victory over Spain and managed to hold off the Hungarian challenge 39-35 to reach the gold-medal match.
Italy took immediate control of the final. Grandis, who had already won the individual Women’s Foil title the previous day, opened a 5-0 lead against Martyna Jelinska before Bertini and Ferrari extended the advantage to 15-2 after only three relays. Poland fought back and reduced the deficit during the middle stages, but Italy responded every time the pressure increased. Grandis eventually faced Julia Walczyk-Klimaszyk in the final relay and completed a 45-33 victory.
Italy thus secured its second team title of the day, with Poland taking silver and Hungary earning bronze on home soil. Ukraine finished fourth, ahead of Romania, Canada, France and Spain.
The final touches in Veszprém brought the sporting programme to an end, but the championship still had one important chapter to write.
Later in the day, athletes, coaches, officials and delegations gathered in Balatonakarattya for the Closing Ceremony, marking the official conclusion of the 49th edition of the CISM World Military Fencing Championship.
A special moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the Friendship through Sport Award to Canada, recognizing the Canadian delegation’s embodiment of the values of friendship, respect and camaraderie that stand at the heart of CISM. The award was presented by CISM Partner A5DM, adding another symbolic dimension to a championship where sporting rivalry on the pistes went hand in hand with friendship between nations.
CISM Secretary General Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, who served as Official CISM Representative (OCR) for the championship, addressed the CISM family in the presence of CISM President Colonel Nilton Rolim and the Hungarian authorities.
Looking back on the competition, Navy Captain Recchia highlighted the qualities demonstrated by the military fencers throughout the championship, drawing a direct parallel between the demands of fencing and those of military service.
“Over the last few days, fencers from 16 nations have competed with precision, discipline, and courage, the same qualities that military service asks of us,” he said. “Every bout was harshly contested, and every bout ended with a handshake. That is exactly the spirit of CISM: friendship through sport.”
The Secretary General paid tribute to the Hungarian Armed Forces and the City of Veszprém for hosting the championship, highlighting the quality of the facilities, the hospitality extended to the delegations and Hungary’s longstanding fencing tradition.
He also reserved special recognition for those whose work often remains away from the spotlight. Navy Captain Recchia thanked the Organizing Committee, led by Lieutenant Colonel Erno Chmelik, as well as the technical delegates, medical teams, staff, reservists and volunteers whose contribution made the championship possible.
“You were there before the first bout and long after the last one, and you were rarely in the spotlight,” he told them, before summing up their achievement in military fashion: “Well done! Mission accomplished.”
The Hungarian Fencing Federation and the International Fencing Federation (FIE) were also thanked for their contribution and support, with the Secretary General emphasizing that the cooperation between CISM and FIE helps military athletes compete according to the highest technical standards. He also praised the referees for their professionalism and impartiality throughout the championship.
Beyond medals and rankings, the closing address returned to the principle at the heart of CISM competition. Navy Captain Recchia congratulated the medalists while also addressing every athlete who had stepped onto the pistes during the week.
“In a world that so often feels divided, you, military men and women from different nations have shown here, in these days, that competition and respect can go together,” he said. “We are proud of you.”
The Closing Ceremony also offered a look towards the next major chapter for CISM fencing. The Secretary General reminded the delegations that their next appointment will come in June 2027 at the 8th CISM Military World Summer Games in the Carolinas, United States. The occasion will carry particular significance for fencing, as it will mark the 50th edition of the CISM World Military Fencing Championship.
Before officially closing the championship, Navy Captain Recchia encouraged the delegations to return home not only with memories of the competition, but also as ambassadors for their Hungarian hosts, recalling the beauty of Lake Balaton, the hospitality of the Hungarian people and the historic character of Veszprém.
“With a sentiment of gratitude, pride and friendship, I declare the 49th CISM World Military Fencing Championship officially closed,” he concluded.
The championship then concluded with the Gala Dinner, offering athletes, officials, organizers and delegations a final opportunity to come together away from the pistes. After four days spent as opponents in competition, the evening provided a fitting final expression of the values that had accompanied the championship from its first salute to its last touch: sporting excellence, military camaraderie, mutual respect and friendship across nations.
With the medals awarded, the weapons packed away and the 49th edition officially closed, attention now turns towards 2027 and the historic 50th CISM World Military Fencing Championship, when the international military fencing family will meet again at the 8th CISM Military World Summer Games in the United States.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Tamás Kovács (HM Zrínyi))
