The 2024 Veteran Fencing World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates have completed seven days of individual and team competition with 736 fencers in their 50s, 60s and 70s-plus from 58 countries.
In all, events included 855 fencers participating, some in multiple weapons.
There was a 34.5% increase in individual fencers competing over the 2023 Daytona Veteran Fencing World Championships, with a 38.1% increase in participating countries.
The Closing Ceremony took place before the finals of women’s and men’s team epee events, with FIE Vice President Abdelmoneim Elhamy El Husseiny (EGY) declaring the Championships officially closed and expressing thanks and appreciation to all the athletes, coaches, officials, referees and volunteers, as well as the UAE Fencing Federation, who all made the event possible.
“The veteran fencers we have seen this week in Dubai have been an inspiration to the entire world of fencing”, said El Husseiny. “They represent passion, athleticism and a love for fencing as a lifelong sport. On behalf of the global fencing family, we applaud them all.”
The FIE flag was ceremoniously passed from UAE to Tunisia, which will host the 2025 Veteran Fencing World Championships.
This year’s Championships took place at Dubai’s Hamdan Sports Complex, where the 2022 Junior and Cadet Fencing World Championships were also held.
In all, 24 competitions took place from October 11 – 17 in epee, foil and sabre, including 18 individual and 6 team events.
The USA led the medal count with a total of 26 (9 gold, 4 silver, 13 bronze), followed by Germany with 11 (4 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze) and France with 12 (3 gold, 4 silver, 5 bronze). Overall, 14 countries earned at least one medal.
