The world of fencing will have its eyes on Orleans (Loiret) up to Saturday 13 November 2021. the Saber Grand Prix takes place Thursday 11, Friday 12 and Saturday 13 November 2021 in Orléans. This is the first major meeting since the Tokyo Olympics last summer.
The men at the rendezvous
New this year, the men will also be on the track. A first since the 90s. Patricia Reguigne, president of the Orléanais fencing circle for a year, explains the organization of this Grand Prix. “It is an exceptional organization for this year because there was to be a World Cup for men in Algiers but the sanitary conditions got the better of this competition. The International Federation therefore asked us to transform our Women’s World Cup into a Women’s and Men’s Grand Prix.. “
A huge show in Orléans
Among the competitors, there will be the two Olympic medalists from Orleans, licensed in Orléans: Cécila Berder, Olympic vice-champion, and Manon Brunet (bronze medal in individual saber). For Manon Brunet, winner of this Grand Prix in 2016 in Orleans, it is a highly anticipated home meeting. “I am very happy to be able to shoot in Orléans because there is a huge show and the competition is very well organized. It allows us to show the whole of France what we are doing. Now I’m really at home because even though I’ve been at the Orleans club for a while, I didn’t live here. Today it is. But we must not forget that it is a competition like any other, so we will have to give the best of ourselves. “
– Julien frenoy
We were a little envious
For Bolade Apithy, present at Tokyo Olympics and married since this year to Manon Brunet, it will be a home competition. He hopes to see the public in large numbers to encourage the French. “For us it’s a great experience because personally my last World Cup in France was in 2003 in Nancy. Every year we see the girls enjoying this show, this show and we were a little envious. Being at home is always fun because we train there every day, people know us. It makes you want to go to the competition and do the best possible. “
– Julien frenoy