U23 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 SELECTION

Congratulations to the fencers selected for the GBR Squad for the upcoming U23 European Championships in Cagliari, Sardinia, from 25th – 28th April 2026.

The selection is subject to appeal. The appeal window is open from Tuesday 31st March to midnight Thursday 2nd April. See below for more important Information.

This selection consists of athletes who met the qualification standards at the published selection point as of 3rd March.

Athletes selected:

(Qualification standard/average international % finish across best 3 results, R = BF ranking position)

Qualification codes:

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 U23 Europeans Championships 2026 dedicated event page.
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 2nd April. The deadline to accept the invitation and make full payment on Sport:80 is 4 days (96 hours) from the receipt of the invitation.
4. Appeals Window: The appeal window is open from Tuesday 31st March to midnight Thursday 2nd April.
5. Financial Assistance Scheme: Financial assistance forms for this event are available on request from [email protected]. Where families are paying for personal coaches and supporters to attend the event they are unlikely to be considered for support. Fencers attending private education institutions are also unlikely to be considered unless they are on 100% scholarships.

Reminder of the Selection Process

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

With regards to the third 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.

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.

All of this information is updated throughout the season and is available to everyone to check at any time (including athletes, parents and coaches) in the GBR U23 Zone.

U23 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
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

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 U23 European Championships Cagliari.

Don’t miss the latest news. Subscribe to our weekly summary email, The Fencing Digest, featuring the previous week’s latest news and announcements. Sign up here.