U20 (JUNIOR) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 SELECTION

Congratulations to the fencers selected for the GBR Squad for the upcoming U20 (Junior) World Championships in Rio, Brazil, from 1st to 9th April 2026.

The selection is subject to appeal. The appeal window closes on Saturday, February 21, 2026. See below for more important Information.

As a guiding principle, BF has traditionally selected athletes for the World Championships only when they have met the qualification standards, or when unqualified athletes have demonstrated a significant contribution to team performances, or shown performances indicating that the experience of competing at the event would support their development and long‑term trajectory.

This selection consists of athletes who met the qualification standards at the published selection point as of 7th February.

Athletes selected:

(Qualification standard/average international % finish across best 3 results)

Qualification codes:

*No athletes met the qualification standards. After review of the guiding principles, the Championship Selection Panel decided not to nominate any individual athletes or enter a team for this event.

Please Note: 

1. 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 World Championships 2026 dedicated event page. This includes important latest information about entry, exit points, accommodation and costs as details will differ from standard U20 events.
2. 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.
3. Acceptance Emails: These will be sent out from the Sport:80 platform from the 23rd February.
4. Appeals Window: The appeals window will be open from Thursday 19th February to Saturday 21th February

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:

1. If only one remaining athlete met the required standards, they were selected.
2. 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), or other principles to separate qualified athletes, selection reverted to the BF Ranking Lists.

2026 General Principles

5.3.1 The purpose of selection is to develop athletes and teams for Major Championship success. Unless otherwise stated below, Major Championships selections will be guided by performances in the following order:

1. the qualifying standards being met,
2. international results prioritising nominated international events,
3. team performance or performances in a team prioritising nominated international events,
4. the potential to achieve future success internationally
5. an active engagement with the GPP
6. when no other measures are available, the BF rankings are considered.

Junior World 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
Lindsay Bottoms – 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 Wednesday, 18th February 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 World Championships Rio.

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