Four to watch at Wheelchair Fencing World Cup

The top wheelchair fencers will return to Eger, Hungary, the same site as last year’s World Championships, to kick off their season. The first World Cup of the Paralympic Games year will begin Wednesday (10 February), and here are four athletes looking to strike gold at the upcoming Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Beatrice Vio, Italy

The 18-year-old Italian went unbeaten in 2015, winning gold in all five World Cups and securing the World Championship title in the women’s foil category B. Now, Vio looks to extend her incredible run into 2016.

Simone Briese-Baetke, Germany

If there is anyone who can end Vio’s winning streak, it would be Germany’s Briese-Baetke who returns to competition in Eger after not competing for over a year due to illness. A silver medallist at the Paralympic Games in London, Briese-Baetke will be hoping for a quick return to form ahead of Rio 2016.

Piers Gilliver, Great Britain

Gilliver surged to world No.1 in the men’s category A epee rankings in 2015. Though having performed solidly at recent competitions, the British athlete has not won a major title since the World Cup event in Pisa, Italy, last May – something he will look to change Eger.

Zsuzsanna Krajnyak, Hungary

Krajnyak is really hoping 2016 will be her year. Having won a collection of bronze and silver medals in the three previous Paralympic Games, Krajnyak hopes to finally land gold at Rio 2016.

At the World Championships last September, Krajnyak lost to China’s Chuncui Zhang in the final of the women’s foil category A.

The International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) Wheelchair Fencing World Cup in Eger runs until Sunday (14 February).

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Sport fans from around the world can now buy their Paralympic tickets for Rio 2016 from authorised ticket resellers (ATRs).

The IPC’s Global ATR is Jet Set Sports, and Rio 2016 tickets and packages can be purchased on the CoSport website.

Residents of Brazil can buy 2016 Paralympics tickets directly from the Rio 2016 website.