DOHA: The organizing committee of the Doha Fencing Grand Prix 2026 has unveiled details of the tournament’s 21st edition, scheduled to take place at Aspire Hall from January 23 to 25, 2026. The announcement was made during a press conference at Aspire Academy attended by senior officials of the Qatar Fencing Federation and the championship’s organizing team.
Qatar Fencing Federation President Abdullah Ali Al Ghanim described the event as one of the largest Grand Prix championships organized by the federation. Deputy Director of the Championship Hamad Saad Al Jassim revealed that around 433 athletes — 254 men and 179 women — from 53 countries are expected to compete, including the world’s top three ranked fencers in both categories and several Olympic champions.
The field will feature Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist Koki Kano of Japan, medalists from the Tokyo Olympics, and Belgian fencer Naccer Layola, the winner of the previous Doha Grand Prix. Al Jassim said the competition is expected to be intense and highly competitive.
Arab participation will include Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Tunisia and the UAE.
Qatar will be represented by nine athletes, including Youssef Abdul Tawab, Mohammed Abdul Ali, Mohammed Al Hazzaa, Abdulrahman Al Jadra and Ali Al Khalif, along with four women fencers — Fatima Al Maadid, Thikrayat Al Abdullah, Wadha Al Abdullah and Sheikha Ali — following extensive preparation through regional competitions and training camps.
