How many hits win a wheelchair fencing bout?
I · Intermediate · The bout · 2 of 2Pool bouts go to 5 hits or 3 minutes, with a one-minute deciding hit if tied at time. Direct elimination bouts go to 15 hits in three 3-minute periods; at foil and sabre the first period also ends at eight. Team matches are relays to 45 hits. Paralympics and World Championships use repechage.
How it works
- Pool: 5 hits or 3 minutes.
- Pool tie: one-minute deciding hit.
- Direct elimination: 15 hits, 3 x 3 minutes.
- Foil and sabre: first period ends at eight.
- Team relay: five hits a leg, to 45.
- Team tie: deciding hit by the last pair.
- Repechage: at Paralympics and worlds.
- Two losses: out with repechage.
The glossary has the pool bout (wheelchair fencing), the direct elimination bout (wheelchair fencing), the team relay (wheelchair fencing), the direct elimination with repechage, the Paralympic programme (wheelchair fencing) and the unwillingness to fight (wheelchair fencing).
Tricky cases
A pool bout is 4-4 at epee. What happens?
A deciding hit; a double does not count.
Is there a bronze bout at the Paralympics?
The winners of the second repechage table fence for third.
How many individual weapons may a fencer enter?
Two at most.
Who fences the team deciding hit?
The fencers of the last bout.
Why the rule exists
Repechage gives fencers a second chance in short events. Relays let every team member fence.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pool | 5 hits | t.38 |
| Direct elimination | 15 hits | t.39 |
| Team | 45 hits | t.41 |
From the rule book
World Para Fencing, Book 1 Technical Rules (January 2026), articles t.38 to t.41, with Book 2, articles o.43 and o.95. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: World Para Fencing rulebooks 0 to 4.