CAIRO — Egyptian fencing has done it again. At the African Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships in Dakar, Senegal, from February 16–23, the team didn’t just compete-they dominated. From start to finish, Egypt left no doubt who rules the continent.
The numbers tell the story: 42 medals in total – 22 gold, 9 silver, and 11 bronze. That haul put Egypt firmly at the top of the medal table, a reflection not just of skill, but of depth, discipline, and determination.
But it’s more than medals. This sweep is a statement about the strength of Egypt’s next generation of fencers. From men’s to women’s squads, across every weapon – foil, épée, and sabre – Egyptian athletes set the pace, controlled the action, and made it clear: Africa’s fencing standard still belongs to Egypt.
And this wasn’t luck. Behind these wins lies years of planning, dedicated coaching, and strategic investment in the country’s fencing system. It’s a long-term effort paying off in spectacular fashion.
Timing couldn’t be better. Egypt is preparing to host the World Cup Fencing Championships from March 5–8, 2026. Momentum is on their side, and after proving themselves across Africa, stepping onto the global stage feels like the next natural step.
Team control
Egypt’s team performance was extraordinary. The under-20 squads were relentless. They bagged five gold medals across junior men’s and women’s épée, junior men’s and women’s sabre, and junior men’s foil.
The momentum didn’t stop there. The under-17 teams weren’t just keeping pace – they dominated too, taking six more golds across foil, épée, and sabre. But it wasn’t just technical skill on display. These young athletes showed nerves of steel, and an ability to shine when it mattered most.
These results highlight a simple truth: Egypt’s fencing programme isn’t just about standout stars-it’s about creating a culture of teamwork, discipline, and a winning mindset from day one.
Rising stars
While the team events highlighted unity and coordination, the individual competitions gave fans a glimpse of Egypt’s brightest rising stars.
In the under-20 category, names like Youssef Eissa (épée), Omar Dweidar (sabre), Karim Assem (foil), Farah Mahfouz (épée), and Khadija Abou Alam (sabre) stood atop the podium with confidence, showing the next generation of champions is already here.
The under-17 division added their own wave of champions. Fatima Wahba (foil), Adam Khodary (épée), Khadija Abou Alam (sabre), Omar Saleh (foil), and Farida Khalil (épée) kept Egypt’s gold streak alive. Khalil didn’t stop there-she also took gold in the under-15 category, proving she’s one of Africa’s brightest young fencers.
Egypt’s medal collection wasn’t just about gold. Nine silvers and 11 bronzes highlight a squad that’s deep, consistent, and competitive across every weapon and age group.
Standouts included the under-20 girls’ foil team and individual talents like Jana Ehab, Islam Osama, Farida Khalil, Anan Hegazi, Younes Khalil, Younes El-Abrashi, Nour Mahfouz, and Hamza Abouhalwa.
Bronze medals went to Loujain Khaled, Younes Khalil, Fouad Gharib, Adham Shalaby, Ali Attia, Mohannad El-Assal, Salma El-Sheikh, Nagwa Noufal, Arwa Nasser, Youssef Mahrous, and Rawda Hammad-showing that Egypt’s bench is packed with talent ready to step up whenever called.
A hero’s welcome
When the team returned home, the heroes’ welcome was electric. Gohar Nabil, the Minister of Youth and Sports, greeted them at the airport, praising a campaign that once again put Egypt at the top of African fencing.
Nabil highlighted both men and women for their skill, focus, and determination. He pointed out that these wins aren’t just about individual brilliance – they reflect a nationwide commitment to investing in sports excellence.
With ongoing investments in youth programmes and high-performance training, Nabil expressed confidence that this generation is poised for even bigger achievements on the world stage.
His message was clear: Egypt’s flag will keep rising at major global events in the months ahead. The talent is ready, and the momentum is unstoppable.
Podium Poise
Earlier this month in Cairo, Egyptian sabre star Youssef Shamel grabbed bronze in the Under-20 individual event at the Junior Sabre World Cup. He showed composure, smart tactics, and resilience against top international opponents, winning 5 of 6 group-stage bouts and moving confidently through the elimination rounds.
The Cairo event brought together 531 fencers from 54 countries, proving just how fierce junior fencing is worldwide. Shamel’s medal wasn’t just a podium finish, it proved that Egypt’s youth programme is producing athletes ready to compete at the highest level.
Combined with the team’s wins, his performance confirms that Egypt’s youth fencing system consistently develops world-class talent.
Eyes on the World
With a medal count like this, the point is clear. Egypt isn’t just Africa’s best-it’s building a squad ready for the world. The team spirit and the technical skill are all there.
The next wave of Egyptian champions has arrived. They’ve got talent and they’ve got confidence. Africa is already theirs. Now, it’s time to look beyond the continent. The world stage is next, and Egypt is ready to take it on.
From Dakar to the upcoming World Cup, Egyptian fencing is sending a message: they don’t just participate – they dominate, inspire, and lead.
