French sabre fencing team begins season training in Dordogne

The French national sabre fencing team has returned to Boulazac, in the Dordogne region, to begin their 2026-2027 season preparations. This training camp follows the team’s recent success in Hong Kong, where they secured the world team title.

Sébastien Patrice, currently ranked number one in the world, described 2026 as an extraordinary year. In addition to the team world championship, he achieved top individual world rankings. A notable highlight of the team victory was competing alongside his brother, Jean-Philippe Patrice.

The current training phase focuses on physical conditioning and strength training, including two hours of weightlifting daily, to prepare the athletes for upcoming competitions. The squad is undergoing a period of transition following the retirement of Boladé Apithy, as the team works to build on their recent momentum.