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 2006 would be a C06, and ranked (or seeded) higher in an event than a person who last performed

 to the level of a C in the year 2005 (C05). 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 (C05 to C06)

 

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

NONE

N/A

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
2-4
5-6
7-8

A
B
C
D

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

Combination
of Groups
A2/B3

64

2 A's &
2 B's &
20 C's &
12 D's
(or higher)

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

1
2-4
5-8
9-16
17-32

A
B
C
D
E

Combination
of Groups
A2/C3

64

2 A's &
2 B's &
2 C's
18 D's &
12 E's
(or higher)

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

1
2-4
5-8
9-10
11-16

A
B
C
D
E

Combination
of Groups
B2/C3

64

2 B's &
2 C's &
20 D's &
12 E's
(or higher)

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

1
2-4
5-8
9-16

B
C
D
E