JO Qualifiers 2023

Saber – Manhattan Fencing 12/3 https://askfred.net/Events/moreInfo.php?tournament_id=52188

Foil – Brooklyn Bridge Fencing 12/17 https://askfred.net/Events/moreInfo.php?tournament_id=52247

Epee – NY Fencing Academy 1/7 https://askfred.net/Events/moreInfo.php?tournament_id=52317

You absolutely, positively, must be a Metropolitan division member in order to compete in these qualifying events. You should bring your USA Fencing card to the event with you (we will be verifying, on-site, against the latest national membership listing). If you are listed on USA Fencing’s national membership list as belonging to another division, we absolutely, positively, will not let you compete. Who you contacted, what they said, and/or what mistakes were made by you or USA Fencing do not matter. Your having missed your own division’s qualifying event, or failed to qualify through it, does not entitle you to attend the Metropolitan division’s qualifiers. If there is a legitimate issue, make sure the National Office fixes it beforehand or notifies the Metropolitan officers DIRECTLY.  Look yourself up in advance. Foreign fencers are not allowed to fence as they may not compete at Nationals! Any fencer who is a citizen or permanent resident who has represented another country in the last three years is NOT eligible for any USA FENCING National Championship competition, individual or team, including corresponding Division qualifying competitions. A foreign fencer who is in the US on a visa is NOT eligible to fence in any National Championships or the Division qualifying competition. Otherwise, permanent residents are eligible; please bring your proof of residency along with your USA Fencing membership card. Your Membership card should say Metropolitan Division, not Egypt, Ukraine, France, or anywhere else!  Every event requires registration by a specific date via AskFRED. To register, click “Register” next to the event you want to register for and you will be taken to the AskFRED registration system. After you register, confirm that your name appears under the correct events in the “Who’s Pre-registered” list in AskFRED. You must show up for any events you register for, even if the number of registered competitors is less than the number of available qualifying spots. Fencers, even those that have registered, who do not appear in time for their events will be scratched and will not be submitted as a qualified competitor to the national office. The number of entered competitors, their placements in the event and/or the number of available qualifying spots will not be taken into consideration. BE THERE and BE ON TIME. If you have any problems registering, please immediately contact the club which is hosting that event. As outlined by the National Office, attendance at an out of town school is not a valid excuse. We will be highly unsympathetic towards any excuses short of natural disaster, war and/or death (and for those serving in the military abroad, you technically belong to the National Division, so even that won’t work!).Ok, ok, but how do I know if I qualified? Visit the USA Fencing JOs event page for the guidelines of qualification paths. Generally speaking the host of your qualifier should let you know, or feel free to email the division to check your qualification status.

Mandatory sexual harassment training for NAC coaches/refs

There is a new mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention training for any member who will be working or coaching at a NAC in the 2022-23 season.  The hour-long training is also open to anyone who wants to participate.  Register for upcoming iterations of the training at the links below:

Parent, Adult Athlete and Youth training is offered at no charge; information can be found at https://www.usafencing.org/safesport-training

Competitions update

USA Fencing has released a schedule for summer championship events as well as qualification paths. Please visit USA Fencing for the full calendar of national events starting in April.

July 3-12 – National Championships, JO’s, and July NAC – Philadelphia, PA

July 22-25 – July Challenge and Parafencing National Championships – Salt Lake City, UT

Aug. 27-29 – Veteran National Championships – Atlanta, GA

The Division is currently awaiting further clarification on Division qualifier requirements; meanwhile visit the press release from the national office here: https://www.usafencing.org/news_article/show/1151513

Mask update

Please note that the mask mandate included in the COVID-19 Competition Modifications, Mask Mandates and National Events Updates has been updated as follows:


Face coverings must be two-layer cloth masks or surgical face coverings. Single-layer gaiters, bandannas, masks with vents and inserts that clip into the fencing mask and do not fully contact the athlete’s face are not permitted.


If you have questions, please contact nationalevents@usafencing.org.