Inaugural Youth Fencing Competition Kicks Off May 2nd
Phnom Penh, 3 May 2026
The first-ever National Youth Fencing Championship in Cambodia is being held from May 2nd to May 4th, 2026, on the 5th floor of The Olympia Mall. The event aims to further stimulate fencing activities and increase the number of annual competitions. Specifically, it aligns with the Royal Government’s Pentagonal Strategy, which encourages "One youth, one sport for life."
Historically, with budget support from the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport, the Fencing Federation of Cambodia was only able to organize one competition per year. It wasn't until 2019, through the personal financial and venue support of the Federation’s President, that a second event was established: the Western Fencing Cup.
However, two competitions per year are still insufficient to enhance fencers' technical skills and experience adequately or to raise public awareness. Consequently, the Federation decided in 2025 to create two additional annual events:
The National Youth Fencing Championship: This follows the age standards of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), divided into two groups:
Cadet: Ages 13 to 16 (Under-17 level).
Junior: Ages 17 to 19 (Under-20 level).
The Cambodia Open (CamOpen): An open-category fencing tournament.
Even though this year is the inaugural competition, a total of 64 fencers have registered to compete from 10 different clubs, including 43 athletes in the Under-17 (Cadet) category.
The Fencing Federation of Cambodia hopes for continued support from both the Royal Government and the private sector to organize these events. These competitions provide Cambodian youth with many opportunities to spend their valuable time on activities that improve their physical health, mental well-being, and academic performance.
