CAIRO — Egyptian sabre fencer Youssef Shamel delivered a statement performance on home soil, confirming his emergence on the international stage after securing the bronze medal in the Under-20 Junior Individual event at the Junior Sabre Fencing World Cup.
Staged at the Indoor Hall Complex of Cairo International Stadium, the achievement not only represented Egypt’s first podium finish of the tournament, but also reinforced the country’s growing reputation as a serious contender among the world’s junior fencing elite.
Podium poise
A member of Egypt’s national fencing team, Shamel showcased composure and consistent performance throughout a demanding competition. His campaign began with an assured showing in the group stage, where he recorded five victories against a single defeat, a performance that reflected confidence as he advanced convincingly to the knockout rounds.
Placed in a highly competitive pool alongside fencers from Greece, France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, and the United States, Shamel rose to the challenge, displaying tactical awareness and maturity well beyond his years, asserting himself among the tournament’s standout performers.
Shamel’s impressive run ultimately earned him a share of the bronze medal with Hungary’s Bence Balazs, capping a breakthrough performance on the world stage.
The gold medal was claimed by France’s Odinn Bindas, who edged out American James Sennewald in the final, leaving the latter to take silver.
Global showcase
The Cairo edition of the Junior Sabre World Cup brought together 531 male and female fencers representing 54 countries, underlining the scale, quality, and competitiveness of junior fencing at the global level.
The diversity of participation and intensity of matches highlighted the tournament’s status as a key fixture on the international fencing calendar.
Beyond the action on the piste, the event also served as a testament to Egypt’s growing organisational and technical capabilities in hosting major sporting competitions.
The tournament received widespread praise from officials of the International Fencing Federation, as well as from participating athletes and delegations, for its high standards and professional delivery.
The Egyptian Fencing Federation hailed Shamel’s bronze-medal finish as a landmark achievement for the country’s junior development programme, reaffirming its commitment to developing young talent capable of competing at the highest international level.
With emerging stars like Youssef Shamel stepping into the spotlight, Egypt continues to strengthen its position as a rising force in international fencing, carrying renewed ambition and confidence into upcoming continental and global championships.
