Cuba hosts women's fencing world championships

Updated：2007-06-16 From：Xinhuanet

HAVANA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Cuba hosts as of Friday the women's team fencing Grand Prix (Gran Premio de Florete) with 18 teams participating at the Hotel Habana Libre Trip, in this capital.

Representatives of France, Japan, Italy, China, Russia, Poland, South Korea, the United States, Spain, England, Canada, Hungary, Romania, Austria, Mexico, Venezuela and the host country Cuba participate in the competition.

The Italian team, with four of its members placed within the 10 best women fencers worldwide and holding first place in team competitions, is considered the favorite to win the championship.

According to the draw, Cuba will face England on Friday. Cuba is also training for the forthcoming 15th Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July.

This Caribbean island's main fencing coach Leonel Bacallao said the competition will be very strong for Cuba's women well-trained fencers since their rivals have more experience.

Meanwhile, the individual women's fencing championship held on Thursday was won by Hungarian Aida Mohamed after eliminating three Italian competitors.