publish time

25/07/2023

author name Arab Times

publish time

25/07/2023

KUWAIT CITY, July 25:  Kuwaiti fencing prodigy, Youssef Al-Shamlan, took a giant leap towards securing his spot in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris next year. Al-Shamlan's outstanding performance in the Fencing World Cup held in Milan, Italy, earned him a well-deserved spot in the 32nd round after a thrilling victory against his Ukrainian counterpart in the men's saber game, with a close score of 15 to 14.

With this impressive win, Al-Shamlan not only adds valuable points to his qualification journey but also boosts his overall ranking on the path to the Olympics. The competition to qualify for the prestigious event is fierce, with 102 men and 102 women fencers vying for a spot, along with six host country slots.

For individual competitions, the stakes are high, ranging from a minimum of 34 to a maximum of 37 for each weapon, while team competitions carry stakes from eight to nine.

The Kuwaiti national team is well-represented in the championship, particularly in the saber weapon category, with talented players like Muhammad Mahdi, Abdulaziz Duaij, and Youssef Al-Shamlan leading the charge. The team's skillful lineup also includes Abdulaziz Al-Awadi, Abdul Rahman Al-Yaqout, Abdulaziz Al-Shatti, Hassan Al-Foudari, Ali Al-Nakas, Fawzia Al-Rifai, Abdulaziz Al-Kandari, Ali Fadel, Faisal Al-Zamil, Ali Al-Nassar, and Farah Al-Rashidi.

As Youssef Al-Shamlan continues to excel on the international stage, the Kuwaiti fencing community eagerly anticipates his journey towards Olympic qualification, hoping for a triumphant representation in the upcoming Games.