Olympians, FISU returners and home hopes take to fencing strip

ESSEN – Italy’s Simone Mencarelli, Harry Saner of South Africa and Eric Simon Seefeld (GER) are among the contenders in men’s fencing at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.

Mencarelli returns to the FISU stage having claimed epee team bronze at the Chengdu 2021 Games.

Saner, who competed in four events in China, reflected on his time at the event: “The level of the competition was almost the same as the regular international events, and I loved being able to test my mettle against fencers of a similar age,” he said.

“I loved the experience because it had such a high level of professionalism and athlete friendliness, said the 24-year-old, who went on to become the first fencer to represent South Africa at an Olympic Games in 16 years by qualifying for Paris 2024.

Carole Adam, chef de mission of the South African delegation at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games, recognises the significant role the event can play: “Many of South Africa’s most celebrated Olympians first gained international experience through these Games,” she said.

Exciting fights

Seefeld, meanwhile, spoke during his team’s preparations for the FISU Games at their training camp in Naples.

“I hope to be successful in my competitions and want to present exciting and good fights to the audience,” the 23-year-old said, who is joined by teammate Julius Ruppenthal.

“This nomination fulfils two dreams for me,” Ruppenthal said. “For the first time in my career, I have the opportunity to participate in international competitions, and the FISU Games are the first major event in Germany where I will be able to fence in front of a home crowd."

In the women’s field, Nisanur Erbil of Turkiye will compete in sabre. The 22-year-old, who is ranked No.13 in the world, reached the round of 16 at Paris 2024, becoming the first Turkish fencer to win an Olympic contest. She is also the first fencer from her nation to win a World Cup medal.

“This achievement reflects the growing value placed on sports and athletes in Türkiye, and I hope this trend continues," Erbil said at the time.

FGNS vg/pp/mb