Funded by the International Paralympic Committee’s Sport Technical Training and Coaching Grant and delivered by experts, the Academy will introduce coaches and athletes to various training techniques as well as the nuances of epee, foil and sabre.

The basics of classification and technical aspects of the sport will also be covered.

Eight male and seven female coaches, classification leads and athletes from Namibia, Nigeria, Peru, Cape Verde and Trinidad and Tobago will take part in wheelchair fencing activities for the first time, while those from Argentina, Jamaica and Brazil will take the latest chance to develop their skills.

The Academy is being hosted by the Brazilian Fencing Confederation at the state-of-the-art Brazilian Paralympic Training Centre. CBEsgrima’s Vice-President Arno Schneider will be joined by Bruna Campos and Ivan Schwantes in leading the coaching and technical workshops. Ana Paula Brecheret will lead the classification elements.

This edition of the Academy is the latest to take place and follows previous activities in India and Brazil.

Charmaine Hooper, Chief Executive Officer of World Abilitysport, said: “There is no better way to end a great year than introducing new countries to wheelchair fencing.

“Paris 2024 inspired new athletes and nations to discover more about the sport and we are delighted that they can make use of such a great facility in Sao Paulo. Our thanks go to CBEsgrima, as well as the IPC, for helping us to meet the demand and grow the reach and impact of wheelchair fencing around the world.”