Fencing Euros: all four Estonians advance to main draw

At the European Fencing Championships in women's épée, all four Estonian representatives advanced to the main draw: Julia Beljajeva, Irina Embrich, Katrina Lehis and Veronika Zuikova. The Estonian women are aiming to extend their medal streak, which began in 2023 with Nelli Differt's bronze.

At the European Fencing Championships in women's épée, Estonia's quartet performed strongly in the preliminary rounds, with all four Estonians securing places in the main draw of 75 fencers.

Preliminary rounds successful for Estonians

Katrina Lehis, who started as the top-ranked fencer in the European standings, recorded four wins from six matches and shares 29th place. Irina Embrich also achieved four wins from six and placed 26th, thus making the European top 30 in the standings. The strongest result among the Estonians was produced by Julia Beljajeva (ranked 63rd in the standings), who won five matches from six and finished the preliminary rounds in seventh place. The fourth Estonian, Veronika Zuikova (ranked 390th in the standings), also secured four wins and placed 38th, ahead of 17 other fencers in the preliminary round.

Main draw opponents confirmed

In the main draw, Lehis faces Romanian Emma Sontă in the round of 64, Embrich faces French fencer Diane von Kerssenbroch, and Zuikova faces Italian Giulia Rizza. Seventh-seeded Beljajeva's opponent will be determined in the round of 128, where Lithuanian Paulina Bajorunaite-Stauske and Finnish Outi Jaakkola will compete.

Estonian medal hopes high

Estonian women have shone at recent European Fencing Championships: in 2023, Nelli Differt won bronze; in 2024, Irina Embrich won gold; and in 2025, Katrina Lehis won silver. A team medal was last won in 2018 in Novi Sad, where Lehis, Kristina Kuusk and Beljajeva achieved a remarkable podium sweep in the individual tournament.