Montreal, January 7, 2020 – As of Friday, the best sabre fencers in the world will be in Montreal for three days of competition for the Sabre Grand Prix, an essential event in the selection process for athletes for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Organized jointly by the Canadian Fencing Federation (CFF), the Quebec Fencing Federation and the International Fencing Federation (FIE), the Sabre Grand Prix of Montréal is the last major step in qualifying for women’s and men’s sabre for the 2020 Olympics.
The event will be intense since 19 athletes from the world top-20 in men’s sabre as well as the top-20 women responded to the invitation of the organizing committee.
“The competition will be extremely tough since the best sabre fencers in the world for both women and men will be present. The importance of competition in the Olympic qualification process has made the Montreal tournament a must,” said Yann Bernard, president of the organizing committee and former member of the national foil and epee team.
Ukrainian Olga Karhlan and South Korean Sanguk Oh, both at the top of the women’s and men’s sabre world rankings, will be the people to dethrone. Four-time world champion Karhlan won gold at the last World Cup in 2019, held in Salt Lake City last December. A gold medalist at the last World Championships, Oh also climbed the podium three times at the World Cup and twice in Grand Prix in 2019.
For the first time in Montreal
About 350 athletes from more than 40 countries are expected Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the IGA stadium. It will also be a first foray into Montreal for the FIE Grand Prix circuit.
“This is a unique moment for Canadian fencing,” notes Yann Bernard. The former fencer on the international scene can testify to the importance of hosting this meeting on Canadian soil. “This is an exceptional opportunity for Canadian sabre fencers to participate in a tournament of this importance in their country, and to have the support of their loved ones in the stands. “
The general public who attend the event will also be served, as they will be able to witness serious duels. “It is not every day that we have access to such a high level of fencing in Montreal. “
The Sabre Grand Prix of Montréal will be held from Friday to Sunday at the Uniprix stadium. These are the men who will start the ball on Friday. They will be in action in the group rounds, then in the first knockout games. The table of 64 and the final stages will be presented on Saturday.
For women, the pools and the first eliminatory duels will be on Saturday. The table of 64 and the following rounds will then continue on Sunday.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE MEDIA
Although the media are welcome at any time during the competition, highlights have been targeted where the intensity should be at its peak and the challenges at stake!
Friday, January 10: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (first elimination rounds, men’s sabre)
Saturday, January 11: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (final rounds, men’s sabre)
Sunday, January 12: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. (final stages, women’s sabre)
Confirm your presence at grandprixmtl2020@gmail.com
CANADIAN FENCERS TO WATCH
Men
Farès Arfa (Laval, Québec)
Shaul Gordon (Richmond, BC, and Montreal, Québec)
Joseph Polossifakis (Laval, Québec)
Women
Gabriella Page (Blainville, Québec)
Marissa Ponich (Edmonton, Alberta)
Madison Thurgood (Edmonton, Alberta)
FULL COMPETITION SCHEDULE
IGA Stadium (285 Gary Carter Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Friday January 10, 2020
10 am Pools and qualification rounds Men’s Sabre
Saturday January 11 2020
10 am Pools and qualification rounds Women’s Sabre
1 :15 pm Direct elimination of the table of 64 in men’s sabre
6 :15 pm Start of quarter-finals, semi-finals and men’s sabre final
Dimanche 12 janvier 2020
8:40 am Direct elimination of the table of 64 in women’s sabre
2 pm Quarter-finals, semi-finals and women’s sabre final begin.
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Written by Sportcom for the Sabre Grand Prix of Montréal
Information:
Mathilde Cambus
2020 Grand Prix Team
514 963-5017