Italy once again proved why it remains one of the dominant forces in international fencing, finishing first in the medal standings at the 2026 European Fencing Championships in Antony, France. The Azzurri closed the competition with four gold medals, one silver, and two bronze medals, outperforming host nation France in the race for the top spot.
The final day of competition played a decisive role in securing Italy’s position at the summit of European fencing. The Italian men’s foil team delivered a commanding performance against France in the championship match, earning gold with a convincing 45–22 victory. The result capped a week of strong performances across both individual and team events.
Among the standout athletes was Simone Mencarelli, who enjoyed a remarkable tournament. The Italian épée specialist captured the individual European title before helping Italy secure team gold in the same weapon, becoming one of the championship’s most successful competitors. Italy also claimed team titles in both men’s foil and women’s foil, highlighting the depth and versatility of its fencing program.
France finished second in the medal table with three gold medals, five silver medals, and two bronze medals, collecting a total of ten podium finishes – the highest overall medal count of any nation at the event. However, Italy’s four gold medals ultimately made the difference in the final rankings.
The result continues a long tradition of Italian excellence in fencing. With success spread across multiple disciplines and both men’s and women’s competitions, the European Championships confirmed that Italy remains the benchmark for the sport on the continent as attention now shifts toward the upcoming World Championships in Hong Kong.
