USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The road to the 2024 Paris Olympics for America’s top fencers passes through San Jose this weekend, Jan. 5–8, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.

It’s all happening at the USA Fencing January 2024 North American Cup, a high-stakes tournament that’s free and open to the public.

For fencers in Division I, our highest classification, the tournament offers valuable points toward qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games. Team USA's Olympic fencing team is selected based on our points list. When the season ends in April, the fencers with the highest points accrued at domestic and international tournaments will earn spots on our team for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. A win or high finish in San Jose could catapult a fencer up the list and give them a better shot at the Olympics.

For fencers in our Junior (under 20) classification, the tournament is the final stop on their road to qualifying for the USA Fencing Junior Olympics in February.

And for those fencers competing in the Veteran categories, the tournament offers proof that fencing is a lifelong sport as athletes test themselves against the nation’s top fencers in the 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80+ age categories. Vet fencers who fare well in San Jose will be on track to qualify for the 2024 Veteran Fencing World Championships in Dubai.

We’re expecting 2,385 competitors in San Jose — plus thousands more coaches, family members and supporters. These fencers are from 40 states and more than a dozen different countries. The youngest competitor this weekend is 12 years old, and the oldest is 86. 

The competition will unfold over 48 individual events across 65 metal fencing strips. 

USA Fencing invites the community to check out fencing at this high-stakes Olympic qualifier. Admission is free, and tickets are not required.