Home PageNewsSeptember 2026 - 09/2026Ukrainian dominance and Polish breakthrough mark opening day of 49th CISM World Military Fencing Championship
Back to list

Ukrainian dominance and Polish breakthrough mark opening day of 49th CISM World Military Fencing Championship

VESZPRÉM (HUN) – The 49th CISM World Military Fencing Championship officially got underway on Monday, 28 September 2026, in Veszprém, Hungary, bringing together military fencers for four days of competition at the One Veszprém Arena.

CISM President Colonel Nilton Rolim is attending the championship, alongside CISM Secretary General Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, who is serving as Official CISM Representative (OCR). The event is organized by the Hungarian Ministry of Defence in cooperation with the Hungarian Defence Forces and the Defence Sports Association.

Ahead of the first competition day, participating delegations completed accreditation, weapon and equipment control and final training sessions at the Hungarian Defence Forces Recreational, Training and Conference Centre in Balatonakarattya. A technical meeting for team captains and coaches was also held before the start of competition.

Monday’s sporting programme featured the individual Men’s Épée and Women’s Sabre competitions at the One Veszprém Arena.

Ukraine produced an outstanding performance in the Men’s Épée competition, placing three fencers on the podium. Volodymyr Stankevych captured the CISM world military title ahead of compatriot Ievgen Makiienko, while Roman Svichkar shared third place with Belgium’s Neisser Loyola Lavin. Poland’s Damian Michalak finished fifth, followed by Hungary’s Gergely Siklosi in sixth.

Stankevych expressed his satisfaction after securing the title, explaining that rather than thinking about the gold medal in advance, he had focused on each successive challenge. The Ukrainian delegation enjoyed a particularly successful opening day, with three of its athletes eventually occupying places on the Men’s Épée podium.

The host nation also recorded several strong performances. Siklosi took sixth place, while Levente Buta finished 16th, Andras Redli 17th and Jozsef Balint Tamas 31st.

The Women’s Sabre competition delivered another memorable result as Poland’s Zuzanna Cieslar claimed the gold medal. France’s Sarah Noutcha took silver, while Italy’s Manuela Spica and France’s Toscane Tori shared the bronze medals. Belgium’s Jolien Corteyn completed a strong competition in eighth place.

Cieslar’s victory was particularly significant for the Polish fencer, who described the pride of being able to compete in uniform and represent both Poland and the Polish Armed Forces. Her path to the title included victories over France’s Lisa Croiset and Italy’s Alessia Di Carlo before she defeated Noutcha 15-7 in the final.

Following the first day of competition, the championship was officially inaugurated during the Opening Ceremony held in front of the Archbishop’s Palace in Veszprém, providing a historic setting for the gathering of the CISM family.

Addressing the participating delegations, CISM President Colonel Nilton Rolim highlighted Hungary’s longstanding relationship with CISM and its commitment to military sport. He also recalled his own personal connection with the country as a former Modern Pentathlon Honvéd athlete. “We gather today in a country that has earned a special place within the CISM community and in my heart as a former Modern Pentathlon Hónved athlete,” the CISM President said, stressing that Hungary has consistently contributed to CISM through sporting achievements, participation and leadership.

Colonel Nilton Rolim also highlighted Hungary’s distinguished fencing tradition and praised Veszprém and Balatonakarattya as an ideal setting to welcome the world’s leading military fencers. Beyond the sporting competition, he emphasized the wider purpose of the championship as an opportunity to reinforce the relationships between armed forces from around the world. “This championship also represents an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of trust and friendship that connect our armed forces across continents,” he said.

On behalf of CISM, the President expressed his appreciation to the Hungarian Defence Forces, the Hungarian Delegation to CISM, the Defence Sports Association, the Hungarian Fencing Federation and the City of Veszprém for their contribution to the organization of the championship. He extended special thanks to Colonel Zoltán Eleki and the Organizing Committee, represented by Lieutenant Colonel Erno Chmelik, as well as to the referees, officials and support personnel.

Turning directly to the athletes and participating delegations, Colonel Nilton Rolim reminded them that their role during the championship extends beyond sporting results. “During the coming days, you will compete for medals and results, but you will also represent the values of your armed forces and the spirit of friendship that defines CISM,” he stated before officially declaring the 49th CISM World Military Fencing Championship open with CISM’s motto, “Friendship Through Sport!”

Veszprém provides a particularly symbolic setting for the event. Known as Hungary’s “City of Queens”, it is one of the country’s oldest historic cities and lies between the Bakony Hills and Lake Balaton. Together with the Bakony–Balaton region, Veszprém also holds the title of European Region of Sport in 2026.

Competition continues on Tuesday, 29 September, with another full programme at the One Veszprém Arena. The morning session features the individual Women’s Épée and Men’s Foil competitions from 09:00.

The afternoon will see the first team events of the championship, with the Men’s Épée and Women’s Sabre team competitions beginning from 15:00, followed by the Intermediate Awarding Ceremony.

For host nation Hungary, attention will notably turn to the Men’s Épée team following the individual performances of Siklosi, Buta, Redli and Tamas on the opening day.

The championship continues through Thursday, 1 October, with individual and team competitions across épée, foil and sabre before the Closing Ceremony at the Hungarian Defence Forces Recreational, Training and Conference Centre in Balatonakarattya.

  • Highlights from the opening day of the 49th CISM World Military Fencing Championship can be watched here:

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Tamás Kovács (HM Zrínyi) - Zsuzsanna Szűcs Horváth (HM Zrínyi))

SEARCH CISM