Around 150 Para fencers from more than 20 countries will travel to the iconic and historic capital city, taking over the same venue that is used for the popular FIE Grand Prix. 

Competition runs from 19-22 March and features the full range of weapons in the men’s and women’s category A and B individual and team events. 

Action will get underway on Thursday with the men’s foil and women’s epee category A and B. 

Coverage of all semi-finals and finals over the full four days, with commentary from Paralympic champion Cyril More, will be shown live on the World Para Fencing website. Live results are also available on the World Para Fencing website. Photographs will be available for editorial use here. 

Hungarian hopes 

Hungary has a long and successful record in fencing on both the Olympic and Paralympic sides. At their home World Cup, two athletes in particular stand out as representing both the experienced and new guards. 

Richard Osvath is one of his country’s most decorated Para fencers. He enters Budapest 2026 as the European champion in the men’s foil category A and silver medallist from the 2025 World Championships in Iksan, South Korea. 

Twenty-year-old teammate Anna Nadasdy has proved her credentials as a consistent medal threat for Hungary since winning her first junior titles in 2022. Now a regular podium finisher, Nadasdy claimed bronze at Iksan 2025 in the women’s foil category A and won the same event at the opening World Cup of the season just a few weeks ago in Pisa.

China’s return 

The Chinese team are back competing again in Hungary having taken some time off after the World Championships in Iksan. Their reappearance is always hotly anticipated by fencers from all nations as the country against whom many benchmark their own performances. 

Xufeng Zou is one of the top picks as the Paralympic champion in the women’s foil category A. Zou also grabbed bronze in the weapon in Iksan.  

As well as this World Cup, Zou is gearing-up for the 2026 Asian Championships taking place in October as part of the Asian Para Games. 

Juniors on the march 

As well as Nadasdy, some promising junior fencers will compete in Budapest.  

Amongst their number is Uzbekistan’s Muhammedrizo Sodikov. Aged just 16, Sodikov debuted in 2025 and has already had some close bouts with more experienced fencers, especially in the men’s sabre category A. He is expected to compete at his first under 23s World Championships, taking place as part of the World Abilitysport Youth Games in Mersin, Türkiye, in June.