How the fencing world ranking works
Why is an Olympic fencing title worth three times a World Cup win?
Because the FIE scores every competition on the same scale and then multiplies it. A win is 32 points, a final 26, a bronze 20 (two per event), down to a quarter-point for the last 256. A World Cup multiplies that by 1. A Grand Prix or a zonal championship (such as the Asian Championships) by 1.5. The World Championships by 2.5. The Olympic Games by 3.
A fencer's senior ranking adds up their best five results from World Cups, Grand Prix and satellite events, plus their World Championships (or Olympic) result and their zonal championships.
The ranking rolls from season to season, event by event: this year's first World Cup replaces last year's first World Cup, and so on.
The one thing to remember: in fencing, each result lasts until the same event comes round next season.
Individual points
| Place | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 32 |
| 2nd | 26 |
| 3rd (two fencers) | 20 |
| 5th to 8th | 14 |
| 9th to 16th | 8 |
| 17th to 32nd | 4 |
| 33rd to 64th | 2 |
| 65th to 96th | 1 |
| 97th to 128th | 0.5 |
| 129th to 256th | 0.25 |
| Competition | Multiplier | Winner's points |
|---|---|---|
| World Cup | 1 | 32 |
| Grand Prix; zonal championships | 1.5 | 48 |
| Senior World Championships (individual) | 2.5 | 80 |
| Olympic Games | 3 | 96 |
At the Olympic Games, fourth place gets 54 points. Only fencers who reach the direct elimination table score.
Not stated: the rules give no multiplier for satellite events, though they count. Check with the FIE before Gate 1.
What counts (senior)
The best five results from World Cups, Grand Prix and satellite competitions, anywhere in the world; plus the World Championships or Olympic Games; plus the zonal championships. Junior and cadet rankings count six World Cup results instead.
How results roll over
Events are numbered in calendar order by type. Points from event 1 of this season replace those from event 1 of last season, and so on. If an event is cancelled, last season's points from it are deleted on its date this season. The ranking updates after each counting competition.
Ties
The fencer with more first places ranks higher; then more second places, and so on. If still level, they share the place.
Team ranking
A team's best four Team World Cup results, plus the World Championships or Olympic Games, plus the zonal championships.
| Place | Points | Place | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 64 | 9th | 25 |
| 2nd | 52 | 10th | 24 |
| 3rd | 40 | 11th to 16th | 23 down to 18 |
| 4th | 36 | 17th to 32nd | 8 |
| 5th | 32 | 33rd to 64th | 4 |
| 6th | 30 | ||
| 7th | 28 | ||
| 8th | 26 |
World Team Championships points are doubled. Zonal team championships count at 1.
A worked example
Made up to show the arithmetic. An Indian sabre fencer's season: Asian Championships bronze (20 × 1.5 = 30); World Championships last 16 (8 × 2.5 = 20); and five World Cup and Grand Prix results: a Grand Prix quarter-final (14 × 1.5 = 21), a World Cup semi-final (20), two World Cup last-16s (8 each) and a World Cup last 32 (4). Total: 30 + 20 + 21 + 20 + 8 + 8 + 4 = 111.
Where to see it
fie.org, rankings, updated after each competition.
Variations
| Ranking | Covered here |
|---|---|
| Senior individual and team | Yes |
| Junior and cadet | Briefly (six World Cup results) |
| Wheelchair fencing | No: run by IWAS |
| Nations' Grand Prix (most World Championship golds) | No |