COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Get ready for sun, sand and some elite competition featuring the globe’s top Veteran fencers.
From Oct. 11–16, 2023, the United States will welcome the world to the 2023 Veteran Fencing World Championships in Daytona Beach. The picturesque city on the Atlantic coast of Florida is known for its family friendly boardwalk, can’t-miss eateries and the Daytona International Speedway, which hosts the Daytona 500 NASCAR race each February.
The competition, which will feature the best fencers age 50 and older from more than 50 nations, will be the first FIE (International Fencing Federation) event held in the United States since the pandemic began.
“There’s no more passionate and devoted group of fencers than Veterans, and we’re delighted to welcome the top Veteran fencers from all over the globe” says USA Fencing CEO Phil Andrews. “Planning an international tournament of this magnitude is no small feat, but we’re up to the challenge. We look forward to collaborating with the FIE, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department to ensure these athletes arrive safely and are treated to a world-class experience.” 
In many ways, this tournament is five years in the making. Fans of the sport will remember that in 2018, the FIE awarded the 2021 Vet Worlds to the United States. That event was scheduled for Oct. 8–13, 2021, in Daytona Beach.
Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, the event was first postponed and later canceled due to mandatory quarantine periods and other regulations in place at the time that would’ve made it impossible for fencers to travel to the United States and back home.
The Veteran Fencing World Championships returned in full force in 2022 in Zadar, Croatia, where a roster of 72 Americans won a table-topping 19 medals, including seven golds.
Team USA will look to repeat that dominance on home sand this October at the Ocean Center, Daytona Beach’s convention center, while hosting the world’s exceptional Veteran fencing community.
It is worth noting that this is an FIE event, therefore FIE rules apply. For example, this means that the Vet-80 event that we cherish in the USA will not be contested. Still, USA Fencing encourages those who might not be able to compete to come and be part of this rare opportunity to celebrate Veteran fencing in our own back yard.
We’ll share more details, including the official event website, hotel booking link and info about the qualification series, when available.
Team USA roster selections will be finalized after the 2023 Summer Nationals in Phoenix, which serve as the national championships for our Veterans.
“The Veterans Committee looks forward to the opportunity to show the world the strength and energy of our community,” says Valerie Asher, chair of the USA Fencing Veterans Committee. “Please help us make this an amazing event — make a donation, volunteer and come to cheer!”
About USA Fencing
USA Fencing is the national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of fencing in the United States. Our mission is to grow and promote the sport of fencing in the United States, honor its rich traditions, and achieve sustained competitive international excellence. In USA Fencing, our athletes are strong and competitive both on the fencing strip and in life — a reminder that fencing provides physical and mental benefits that last a lifetime. Learn more about USA Fencing at usafencing.org.Â
