07/01/2026- GBR Fencer

U17 (CADET) FINAL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT

Congratulations to the final athletes selected to the GBR Squad for the upcoming U17 (Cadet) European Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, from 20th Feb to 23rd February 2026.

Published: 7th Jan 2026
Last Updated: 8th Jan 2026: The coaches accreditation form will go live at 5pm on Monday 12th of January 2026

Selection Status: Final

This selection is subject to appeal. The appeal window closes on Sunday, January 11, 2026. See below for more information.

This first wave of selections consisted of athletes that met the qualification standards at the published selection point of 16th December. This first wave was published on 23rd December.

We are pleased to announce the second and final wave of selections for the GBR Squad. This post confirms the full and final squad for the upcoming for this Championships.

As a guiding principle, BF has traditionally utilised the European Championships to make use of discretionary places, to provide GBR pathway athletes who have not met performance standards with the experience of competing at Major Championships.

Athletes selected:

CADETS SELECTION
Women’s Epee	Men’s Epee	Women’s Foil	Men’s Foil	Women’s Sabre	Men’s Sabre
Eilidh Paterson (Q8/8%*2, R1)	Alex Nicholas (Q8/8%*3, R1)	Katie Johnson (QM ,R1)	Mohammed Belbouab (QM, R1)	Hui Xin Sezille (QM, R1)	Ashwyn Lyseyko (Q35/27%, R1)
Adel Timurkan (Q35/18%, R2)	Solu Ngoka (Q35/14%, R2)	Mary Maguire (Q8/8%*2, R2)	Raphael Bertrand (Q8/16%, R2)	Clara Shimmin (Q35/14%, R2)	William Buxton (Q35/29%, R2)
Isabella D’Abbraccio (Q35/23%, R3)	Jack Beckley (Q8*2/11%, R3)	Layla Lang (Q35/18%, R3)	Ethan Li (Q35/18%, R3)	Hannah Hughes (Q35/21%, R3)	Henry Learner (D – 26%*, R3)
Isabella Howser (Q35/21%, R4)	Oghenegaren Esiovwa-Thompson (Q8/14%, R4)	Gloriosa Sung (Q8,32%, R4)	Jagroop Shergill (Q35/28%, R4)	Eva Aziz-Picardet (Q35/23%,R4)	Ruben Fernandez (D – 38%, R4)

*Results based across two results only.

Qualification codes:

- - QM = Medal Standard
  - Q8 = 8% Single performance
  - Q35 = 35% Average across three performances
  - D = Discretionary Selection
  - R = BF ranking position at the selection point.
Please Note:

Important information about the Championships: Before taking any decision to accept selection or take any related action, athletes, parents, supporters and coaches must read the Cadet and Junior European Championships 2026 dedicated event page. This includes important latest information about entry, exit points, accommodation and costs as details will differ from standard U17 events.
Major Event Guide: If it’s your first time involved as a parent, athlete or coach (or you would like a reminder about how these types of events run) please read the GBR Guide to Major Event.
Acceptance Emails: These will be sent out from the Sport:80 platform from the week commencing 12th January. The deadline for accepting your place on Sport:80 is 5 days from the invitation date.
Preparation Camp: Selected athletes (unless they have prior authorisation) are required to attend the Europeans Preparation Sessions.

Reminder of the Selection Process

In accordance with the GBR Selection Policy the first three qualified fencers from the rankings were selected.

With regards to the fourth discretionary place athletes meeting qualification standards were considered:

If only one remaining athlete met the required standards, they were selected.
Where more than one remaining athlete met the standards, the selectors applied the general selection principles for major events to determine the final choice. Where there was insufficient international performance rationale (which included consideration of any valid discretionary cases), team performances, or other principles to separate qualified athletes, selection reverted to the BF Ranking Lists.

Cadet European Championships Selection Panel 2026

The members of the panel were:

Dusty Miller – Chair
Sarah Jones – Pathway Representative
Mike McKay – Lead Foil Rep -GBR Selection Panel Rep
Anthony Crutchett – Lead Sabre Rep – GBR Selection Panel Rep
Hugh Kernohan- Epee Rep – GBR Selection Panel Rep
Alex O’Connell – Independent Member -GBR Selection Panel Rep
Pat Aiyenuro – BF President

Ian Lichfield – Data and Insight

Weapon Selectors – Pre-Selection Meeting Panels

Mike McKay – GBR Selection Panel Rep
Anthony Crutchett – GBR Selection Panel Rep
Lindsay Bottoms – GBR Selection Panel Rep
Kate O’Connell – GBR Selection Panel Rep
Kola Abidogun – GBR Selection Panel Rep
Hugh Kernohan – GBR Selection Panel Rep
Mariette Mason – GBR Selection Panel Rep
Joanna Braine – GBR Selection Panel Rep
Nick Fletcher – GBR Selection Panel Rep

The selection was approved by the selection panel on Monday, 5th January 2026.

More Information

Updated Performance Data and Qualification Standards

GBR Selection Policy – see section 7.2, item 53 for qualification standards

All International Results – The complete data of international results from nominated competitions can be found here.

Appeals

In accordance with the GBR Selection Policy, appeals will only be accepted from athletes that have met the qualifying performance standards.

In accordance with the GBR Selection Appeals Policy, athletes have three working days to submit an appeal. Before making an appeal please read the published information and Appeals Policy.

Selection queries

If you have any questions about this post, please submit them to us via GBR Pathway Query form here and a GBR Support team member will respond.

Personal Coaches

Eligible personal coaches meeting the major event requirements will need to apply for accreditation and there are limits to the numbers that can attend. More information available here: 2026 Cadet and Junior European Championships Tbilisi.

Please note: The coaches accreditation form will go live at 5pm on Monday 12th of January 2026

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