What do fencing classifications, or ratings, mean?

 

 

As a fencer progresses, their “strength” is gauged by their performance in tournaments against other fencers of varying strengths.

Fencing strength, or classification, is signified by the letter designations U, E, D, C, B and A…U being the lowest beginning rating and A being the highest. When they begin their competitive career all fencers are U’s, or “unclassified”

 

The strength of a fencing tournament is determined by the number of participants, the letter classification

of each participant, and the results of the higher classified fencers in the event. Fencers of the same letter classification 

are further ranked by the year in which their classification was earned. So, a fencer earning a C in the 

year 2009 would be a C09, and ranked (or seeded) higher in an event than a person who last performed

 to the level of a C in the year 2008 (C08). A fencer can renew or confirm an already earned rating by performing to

that level, and is then awarded a change to their year designation (C08 to C09)

 

By finishing at a certain level in a tournament of sufficient strength, a fencer can improve their classification.

A chart for determining the strength of a tournament and the classifications which can be awarded is shown below:

Event Minimum
Fencers 		Rated
Fencers
Required 		Rated
Fencers
Must
Finish 		Classifications
Awarded
Group E1 6 NONE N/A

1

E

Group D1 15
4 E's
(or higher) 		2 E's
(or higher)
in top 8

1
2-4

D
E

Group C1 15

2 C's &
2 D's &
2 E's
(or higher)

2 C's &
2 D's
(or higher)
in top 8

1
2-4
5-8

C
D
E

Group C2 25

4 D's &
4 E's
(or higher)

4 D's
(or higher)
in top 8

1
2-4
5-8

C
D
E

Group C3 64

24 D's &
12 E's
(or higher)

4 D's
in top 8 &
4 E's
(or higher)
in top 12

1-4
5-8
9-16

C
D
E

Group B1 15

2 B's &
2 C's &
2 D's
(or higher)

2 B's &
2 C's
(or higher)
in top 8

1
2-4
5-6
7-8

B
C
D
E

Group B2 25

2 B's &
2 C's &
2 D's
(or higher)

2 B's &
2 C's
(or higher)
in top 8

1
2-4
5-8
9-12

B
C
D
E

Group B3 64

24 C's &
12 D's
(or higher)

4 C's
in top 8 &
4 D's
(or higher)
in top 12

1-4
5-8
9-16
17-32

B
C
D
E

Group A1 15

2 A's &
2 B's &
2 C's
(or higher)

2 A's &
2 B's
(or higher)
in top 8

1
2
3-4
5-6
7-8

A
B
C
D
E

Group A2 25

2 A's &
2 B's &
2 C's
(or higher)

2 A's &
2 B's
(or higher)
in top 8

1
2-4
5-8
9-10
11-12

A
B
C
D
E

Group A3 64

24 B's &
12 C's
(or higher)

4 B's
in top 8 &
4 C's
(or higher)
in top 12

1-4
5-8
9-16
17-24
25-32

A
B
C
D
E

Group A4 64

12 A's &
12 B's &
12 C's
(or higher)

4 A's
in top 8 &
4 B's
(or higher)
in top 12

1-8
9-16
17-24
25-32
33-48

A
B
C
D
E