HÀ NỘI — Four Vietnamese athletes will compete at the World Fencing Championships in Leipzig, Germany on July 19-26.

Rio Olympian Nguyễn Thành An, Tô Đức Anh and Nguyễn Xuân Lợi will take part in the men’s sabre event, while Đỗ Thị Anh will fence in the women’s foil category.

An, who placed 46th last year, is the world No 37, highest ranking among Vietnameses.

They will face the strongest fencers in the world, such as No 1 Aron Szilagyi of Hungary, No 2 Kim Junghwan from South Korea and Daryl Homer of the US.

Anh, who also took part in last year Brazilian Olympics, is No 61 in the world.

Her task is not easy, and the competition includes leading fencers such as No 1 Inna Deriglazova of Russia, No 2 Lee Kiefer of the US and No 3 Arianna Errigo of the Italy.

The competitions will be held at the Arena Leipzig.

It is the second time that Leipzig has hosted the tournament, which is expected to welcome around 1,000 athletes and officials from more than 80 countries.

Spectators will have the opportunity to experience Olympic and World champions and also fencing stars up close.

On Friday, the first World Championship medals will be awarded in the arena. On the same day, the musicians and choir members of the Gewandhaus Orchestra will exchange their large concert hall for the Centre Court in the arena for the opening ceremony. On the programme is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach, who according to legend could also duel well with the sword. — VNS