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Press release 29 September 2005
No. 23/2005
Before the 2005 Fencing World Championships get underway, 39 athletes from 39 nations – including Ecuador, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, Croatia, Tunisia and Vietnam – will be undergoing final training for their world championship bouts in Leipzig from 1–7 October thanks to a join initiative by the International Fencing Federation, the German Fencing Association and the German Foreign Office.
“On the one hand these athletes are among the best fencers in the world – after all, their performances have earned them a place in the 2005 World Championships. On the other hand, some national fencing associations are unable to fund either professional fencing centres or trainers, and sometimes they can’t even afford to pay fencers’ air fares or accommodation to compete at world cham-pionships. Therefore, the Foreign Office will be shouldering the travel and accom-modation costs for 22 fencers,” explains DFB president Gordon Rapp. “During the international training camp, qualified trainers will be on hand to give the fencers some final tips under professional conditions. As a result, all the accomplished fen-cers will have a fair chance to compete for the world championship crown,” con-tinues Gordon Rapp.
This initiative has already proved successful. Indeed, reigning junior champion Ruben Limardo from Venezuela owes his career to not only his extraordinary talent and ambition but also just such an international training camp.
Tickets for the Fencing World Championships start at Euro 9 and are available from the ticket hotline (0180 514 6000), on the internet from www.arena-ticket.com as well as all well-known ticket outlets.
Press release 27 September 2005
No. 22/2005
A week before the start of the 2005 Fencing World Championships (8–15 October, Leipzig Arena), Imke Duplitzer, top seed and one of Germany’s great medal hopes, will be attending the XIII International Foil-Fencing King’s Cup (1–2 October) in Halle. Next weekend about 400 young A and B level fencers from ten nations inclu-ding the Japanese national youth team will be competing for six individual titles and the team title at the King’s Cup.
Now in its 12th year, the International King’s Cup has evolved into the biggest youth fencing tournament in Germany. Imke Duplitzer, runner-up at the World Championships in 2002 and winner of a team silver medal in Athens in 2004, is eager to see how her successors are shaping up. “Since many successful épée fen-cers start out in foil-fencing, I’m especially interested to check out the up-and-coming fencers in Halle,” says Imke Duplitzer. “With fencers like Katja Wächter, Jörg Fiedler and Anja Müller, new talents keep being discovered in eastern Germany thanks to the high level of training available to youngsters – and after switching to national training centres they go on to enjoy international success. This set-up needs to be preserved,” declares Imke Duplitzer. And in the run-up to the 2005 Fencing World Championships in Leipzig, Halle just might be a good omen for the épée fencer – for it was here that she won both the individual and team titles at the 2004 World Championships.
Tickets for the Fencing World Championships start at Euro 9 and are available from the ticket hotline (0180 514 6000), on the internet from www.arena-ticket.com as well as all well-known ticket outlets.
Press release 20 September 2005
No. 21/2005
In addition to the postage stamps issued to commemorate the World Fencing Championships in 2005, there is a now a special franking stamp. During the first two days of competition on 8th and 9th October, at a special stand, Deutsche Post will première their specially-designed World Championship franking stamp showing two fencers in front of rows of spectators at Arena Leipzig. Visitors to the World Championships can get their letters and postcards stamped at this stand so that greetings from the competitions will travel the world over.
In addition to the special franking stamp, the Deutsche Post stand will also have their ‘Stamp Experience’ team, the stamps from the German Sports Aid Foundation as well as individual First Day Covers which can be purchased. The Fencing World Championships, like the FIFA World Cup 2006TM(mascot and World Cup globe), the Nordic Skiing World Cup in Obersdorf and the International German Gymnastics Festival in Berlin, one of the five motifs chosen for the postage stamps. Philatelists can also choose from other special limited editions including a folding presentation pack.
By the way, if you want to take a look behind the scenes at Arena Leipzig during the World Championships, from today on you can log on to www.fencing.com and take a virtual tour. From three different perspectives you can investigate to your heart’s desire. Tickets for the Fencing World Championships start at Euro 9 and are available from the ticket hotline (0180 514 6000), on the internet from www.arena-ticket.com as well as all well-known ticket outlets.
Press release 15 September 2005
No. 20/2005
One of the innovative pistes which will be celebrating their World Championships debut during the 2005 Fencing World Championships at Leipzig Arena (8–15 October 2005) will afterwards be presented to Leipzig Fencing Club. This generous offer by Steffen Grollmisch, the owner and manager of Schkeuditz-based sport fen-cing supplier Artos and the inventor of this new type of piste, will augment a recent internet auction on eBay. As previously announced, a World Championship T-shirt signed by Jörg Fiedler was recently sold to a keen fencing fan from Schleswig-Holstein for Euro 30. “As promised, this money will of course be donated to Leipzig Fencing Club. But as this alone won’t go very far, after the World Championships I’d like to give them a piste,” promised Mr. Grollmisch.
“That’s a marvellous present for us,” said a grateful Hans-Wernfried Frommolt, the managing trainer of Leipzig Fencing Club – especially given the quality of the new pistes. “The piste will greatly enhance our competition equipment. Previously we had to hire additional pistes for competitions. Weighing just 24kg, the Artos piste is simply much lighter than traditional ones made of sheet metal (306 kg) or copper wire (70 kg), making it easier to transport and quicker to set up,” explained Mr. Frommolt.
Since 2001, Artos pistes have had to undergo numerous tests at World Cups and at the Athens Olympics before being granted the official seal of approval for the World Championships by the Technical Committee of FIE (the International Fencing Federation). “We’ll be laying out 41 pistes at the Arena. The pistes on which the final bouts will be fought in the centre court area are yellow, red, green and blue. That wasn’t possible before, either. I’m certain that we’re very well prepared for the World Championships,” declared Steffen Grollmisch, himself once a member of the East German junior foil-fencing team.
Tickets for the Fencing World Championships start at Euro 9 and are available from the ticket hotline (0180 514 6000), on the internet from www.arena-ticket.com, and at the usual ticket outlets. For more information, log on to www.fechten2005.de.
Press release 13 September 2005
No. 19/2005
Thanks to an initiative by Leipzig City Council, 40 residents of children’s homes have been invited to watch the opening ceremony of the Fencing World Championships 2005 at Leipzig Arena. “The opening show will be one of the emo-tive highlights of these world championships. The breathtaking scenes from the musical „3 Musketeers“ will whisk the children into a colourful, legendary world of fantasy,” said Burkhard Jung, Leipzig’s Deputy Mayor for Youth, Social Services, Welfare, Health and Education. In addition, on the opening Saturday the young guests can look forward to the first thrilling world championship duels in men’s épée and women’s foil. “I hope it’ll turn out to be an exciting day that won’t be forgotten in a hurry,” added Herr Jung.
Leipzig’s voluntary sports assistants are also in for a treat during the eight-day competition – for Leipzig City Council has organised a hundred free tickets as way of saying thank-you. “Our dependable volunteers have already provided enormous support during numerous sporting events such as the 2005 European Hockey Championships, the FIFA Confederations Cup and the L.E. Athletics,” explained Karin Strauch, the executive manager of the Fencing World Championships 2005. “None of these events would have gone off as smoothly without their magnificent assistance.”
Instead of helping out by interpreting, looking after journalists or during accreditation, these volunteers will be able to relax and enjoy the finals in men’s sabre, women’s épée, men’s foil and women’s sabre from the stand. Tickets for the Fencing World Championships (8–15 October 2005) start at Euro 9 and are available from the ticket hotline (0180 514 6000), on the internet from www.arena-ticket.com, and at the usual ticket outlets. For more information in four languages, log on to www.fencing2005.com.
Press release 8 September 2005
No. 18/2005
The Fencing World Championships 2005, to be hosted in Leipzig from 8 to 15 October, will be an event of superlatives not only from an athletic point of view. During the eight competition days, some 300 international press, radio and TV journalists will keep a close eye on the expected 1,500 athletes and officials from over 80 nations and an audience of 25,000. "This means that the media coverage during the World Championships will reach a new dimension for this discipline," said Gordon Rapp, pre-sident of the German Fencing Association. "Eurosport will broadcast all final duells live and German state television will also report daily."
In order to facilitate a state-of-the-art media coverage the team of Westend Public Relations GmbH will take charge of all media issues. The team can count on consi-derable specialist experience in prime sport events in Leipzig, including the Women's Handball European Club Team Championships 2004, the World Championships of Latin American Dance 2004 or the Indoor Athletics Meeting L.E.-Athletics. Press releases such as the daily summary of news from the competitions or the flash Quotes of ath-letes, celebrity guests and officials will be published in German, English, French and Spanish. Such information will not only be available in the press centre but may also sent out by e-mail or, upon request, by fax directly to the editorial offices. Moreover, information will be made available in the press section of the web site (www.fen-cing2005.com) including printable, free photos and logos.
During the World Championships, journalists will be able to use 90 workstations in the press centre of the Arena Leipzig (60 fitted with WLAN and 30 fitted with LAN connections), 200 seats in the stands, right at the Centre Court, and ten commentary boxes. Separated Mixed Zones for TV and Press/Radio journalists can be used for get-ting comments and statements. And, for the first time ever, all fights of the Fencing World Championships 2005 will be broadcast online in real time, all current results and the hit lists of all competitions will simultaneously also be available on the inter-net. These results can be accessed on two central terminals in the press centre or near the press stands which are staffed with press assistants.
Journalists requiring special telecommunications equipment such as a personal phone or fax links, ISDN, online access, etc. may order such equipment directly from the Arena Leipzig. These services, which come at a charge, should be ordered by 4 October 2005 from the technical manager of the Arena, Klaus Schönfeld (phone: +49 (0)341-2341121, fax: +49 (0)341-2341111, e-mail: k.schoenfeld@sportforumleipzig.com). A detailed listing of all services and prices is included in the on-line accreditation form available at www.fechten2005.de.
The press centre will be open from approximately one hour before the beginning until two hours after end of the daily competitions. The exact opening times and contac-ting details for the press centre in the Arena Leipzig will be available one week prior to the event. These details will be sent to the recipients of the e-mail distribution list and published in the press section of the website.
For those who have not yet been accredited, please log on to www.fencing2005.com by 27th September to do so. As a bonus, all accredited journalists will receive free passes during the eight day tournament, to the Zoological gardens, the Museum of fine arts, historical city museums (Schillerhaus, Old Town Hall, Battle of Nations Monument and the Coffe Baum Museum of Coffee) as well as the Belantis leisure park. Leipzig Tourist Information's city guide showing the city's further highlights will be made available to all journalists. Furthermore, tram travel will also be free of charge and can be collected from the accreditation office.
Press release 5 September 2005
No. 17/2005
In Hamburg, German epée aces pass acid test for World Championships / Women's and men's teams win DINSE Team Cup
Six weeks before the World Championships, Germany's epée fencers prooved their form. During the international DINSE Team Cup in Hamburg, Athens' silver medal-lists Claudia Bokel (Tauberbischofsheim), Imke Duplitzer (Bonn), Britte Heidemann (Leverkusen) and Monika Sozanska (Heidenheim) defeated their rivals France 45:43. The Men's team followed suit during the finals in Hamburg's Cinemaxx am Dammtor, beating the US team 43:36 in the final.
"Having the USA as opponents in the men's finals was a surprise," explains Germany's men's epée team coach Walter Steegmüller. "But it was a great oppor-tunity for a first fight against the young team from the US which climbed to num-ber seven in the world this year." In the semifinals, the United States had won 14:13 in a tactic at battle over Holland, the German national team with Daniel Strigel, Sven Schmid and Jörg Fiedler (all from Tauberbischofsheim) had prevailed 45:35 over the German B-team.
The tournament commemorating the centenary of the Hamburger Fechtclub came with a surprising number of top-class competitors. Some national teams entered the tournament in Hamburg with their top teams. France, for example, had not only sent double Olympic champion Laura Flessel-Colovic but the entire team that had won the bronze medal in Athens last year and that is now nominated for the World Championships in Leipzig in six weeks.
The DINSE Team Cup presented fencing as a very modern discipline. Some 500 spectators who attended the finals in the movie theatre could benefit from the commentary by former world champion Matthias Behr, broadcast via headphones. Hamburg's Sports Senator Alexandra Dinges-Dierig was excited about the use of the new technology: "This was the first time that I've attended a live fencing tourna-ment, and thanks to the commentary I've been able to understand everything immediately." Together with the president of the National Olympic Committee for Germany (NOC), Dr. Klaus Steinbach, Alexandra Dinges-Dierig presented the prizes to the winning teams at the end of the tournament.
Press release 30 August 2005
No. 16/2005
On September 3 and 4, a special test of strength in women’s and men’s èpèe fen-cing will take place with the DINSE Team Cup in Hamburg: five weeks before the Fencing World Championships in Leipzig (October 8-15) get underway, Olympic and world champions will duel with other top and amateur teams. The occasion is the Hamburg Fencing Club’s 100th anniversary. The entire German National Team will be there, too.
Joining world number one Imke Duplitzer from the group (silver medal with the Athens èpèe team) are Claudia Bokel and Britta Heidemann. Crossing swords among the men are the Olympic bronze medal winner, Daniel Strigel, Sven Schmid and Jörg Fiedler among others. The invitation list from abroad is also worth having a look at: Six of the world top-ten women alone will be in Hamburg, among them two-time French Olympic champion, Laura Flessel-Colovic. Number-one ranked Thomas Marik from Austria will be fencing with the men.
The special thing about this “birthday tournament”: “For the first time people from the sport at large will be matching up against international fencing pros,” Ilja Wöllert from the Hamburg Fencing Club explains. A Hamburg business made this tournament possible. The manufacturer of welding systems is the main sponsor and has been involved in fencing for many years. “Welding requires focus and precisi-on while wearing white protective clothing – just as in fencing,” Rolf A. Strassenburg, Managing Director of Dinse, explains.
The finals will take place on Sunday in Hall 1 of the Hamburg Cinemaxx am Dammtor, like the National World Championships two years ago. (Admission from 13:30, Start: 14:00 hours). Anyone wanting a sneak preview can see the warm-up bouts starting on Saturday at 11:00 in the Krochmannstraße gymnasium.Additional information: http://dinse-teamcup.de
Hamburger Fecht-Club e.V. Ilja Wöllert (2nd Chairperson) Löfflerstraße 27 22765 Hamburg Tel.: (040) 38 33 00 Mail: info@hamburger-fechtclub.de
CORELATIONS
Agentur für Public Relations
Anja Schlumberger, Tel.: (040) 6461-5291
Gabi Westerteiger, Tel.: (040) 6461-5372
Bramfelder Chaussee 45
22177 Hamburg
Fax: (040) 6461-5492
Mail: anja.schlumberger@corelations.de
Mail: gabi.westerteiger@corelations.de
Press release 25 August 2005
No. 15/2005
Today at noon sharp, a World Championship T-shirt personally signed by épée fencer Jörg Fiedler will go up for auction. In the run-up to the 2005 Fencing World Championships, bids can be placed on eBay until 5 September. The
T-shirt, which was worn by Jörg Fiedler at a training camp in Leipzig in late July and was then signed by all his team-mates (Norman Ackermann, Daniel Strigel, Sven Schmid and Martin Schmitt) as well as German coach Walter Steegmüller can be found in the‘Sport/Fechten’ (Sporting Goods/Fencing) category as well as by searching for ‘Versteigerung’ (‘auction’), ‘Fecht-WM’ (‘Fencing World Championships’), ‘T-shirt’, ‘Jörg Fiedler’ and ‘Degen’ (‘épée’). There’s also a link to the auction from the official website www.fechten2005.de.
The proceeds from the auction will go to benefit young fencers in Leipzig. “This is fantastic!” says Hans-Wernfried Frommolt, managing coach of Leipzig Fencing
Club. “We could really use more fencing masks, jackets and swords for beginners and B-youth teams. After all, whenever we introduce fencing to girls and boys from local schools in Year 2 or 3 and later get them involved in their first competitions, the fencing club usually has to supply the entire kit.”
Jörg Fiedler is also delighted. “With the World Championships being held in
Leipzig, I’m returning to the place where I originally began fencing,” he explained.
“Of course, I’m especially pleased that the money from the auctions will be used to help Leipzig Fencing Club and I hope it raises a sizeable amount.”
About 1,500 athletes and officials from some 80 nations are expected to attend
the Fencing World Championships from 8 to 15 October 2005 at Leipzig Arena.
Tickets start at Euro 9 and are available from the ticket hotline (0180 514 6000), on the internet from www.arena-ticket.com, and at the usual ticket outlets. For more information in four languages, log on to www.fechten2005.de.
Press release 4 August 2005
No. 14/2005
Mr. Schröder, why did you decide to become patron of the Fencing World Championships 2005 in Leipzig?
I think fencing is an impressive discipline, but one that is unfortunately still underrepresented in the media. I gladly became patron in order to help changing public awareness of this discipline. Some 1,500 athletes and officials from over 80 nations will come to Leipzig for the World Championships. After Hamburg in 1978 and Essen in 1993, Leipzig is the third German city to host the Fencing World Championships.
This shows what great confidence of the international fencing association have. I am convinced that the World Championships in Leipzig will be perfectly organised. I would like to thank the promoters, the organisers and the many volunteers for their commitment. And I would also like to thank the sponsors for their support.
What is the most fascinating aspect of fencing for you?
The swiftness of the fencers – I find that impressive.
What is the significance of the World Championships for the city of Leipzig but also for Germany?
As a sports city, Leipzig has set itself ambitious goals, wanting to present a very modern Fencing World Championships to the spectators. I believe that this sports event will make clear that Germany is an excellent location for international sports events.
What is your personal message as Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and patron of the Fencing World Championships 2005 to the organisers as well as to the German and international athletes, guests and spectators?
I wish the athletes the best of success and that they may achieve their sporting goals. But in this context I would also like to emphasise that success does not always come in medals. I think that a good placing at the World Championships is already a great achievement. I would like to thank the organisers for their commitment so far, and with them I hope for a smooth course of the title competitions. And I hope that the audience will enjoy exciting and fascinating fights.
Press release 26 July 2005
No. 13/2005
Jörg Fiedler: "One medal with the team – the declared aim for Leipzig 2005" German National Epée Fencing Team set up training camp in Leipzig The German National Epée Fencing Team under team manager Walter Steegmüller will stay in Leipzig until Friday preparing for the Fencing World Championships 2005. Here, Norman Ackermann, Jörg Fiedler, Daniel Striegel, Sven Schmid and Martin Schmitt will train to fight for gold during the competitions between 8 and 15 October 2005 in the Arena Leipzig.
Following their visit to the competition venue today, the epée fencers, who usually train in Tauberbischofsheim, where enthusiastic: "What I have seen in the Arena Leipzig today, was absolutely magnificent. In the face of what we can expect here in October, we are greatly looking forward to the World Championships in Leipzig," said national team manager Walter Steegmüller during the subsequent press conference at the RAMADA Hotel. But the German epée fencers still have some training sessions ahead of them before the opening of the World Championships. "Following our athletics and strength training this week in Leipzig, we will begin three weeks of free training. From 16 August, we will then begin with a specific fencing training to be able to come out on top in Leipzig," continued Steegmüller.
The epée fencers are particularly hopeful about winning a medal in the team competitions. "This should be our declared aim for this autumn," said Jörg Fiedler, the nominee for the team competitions. "To be fencing in my hometown is a great feeling. But at the same time I'm trying to ignore that fact so that I can fully focus on the competition. After all, the expectations on us at World Championships in our own country are far much higher," said Leipzig's local hero, who was not at all satisfied with his achievements during the season. "It is the first time since 1998 that I could not finish a season as one of the four best epée fencers of Germany. So, over the next few months, it will be my task in particular to find the reasons for my weak performances and to get a stable footing with a team. I had actually thought that I wouldn't be able to participate in the World Championships at all. So I'm all the more grateful to be a member of the team for Leipzig 2005."
Daniel Strigel also has an eye on victory podium for the team. "A medal with the team is more likely for me than a medal in the individual competitions. I have strong nerves and I'm superior in counterattacks but my defence is not yet up to to scratch. And I mustn't lose sight of the seriousness of the competitions. I must keep the vision of a medal clearly before me in the minutes before the fight to be able to attune myself to what is at stake. And that's also exactly my aim for Leipzig 2005 – the firm intention to win," said Daniel Striegel.
Gordon Rapp, President of the German Fencing Association, added: "Time and again I notice the joyful excitement of all German athletes. The expectations in the World Championships in Leipzig are correspondingly great, but the excellent performances of our fencers this season justify the hopes for a successful outcome. As regards the state of preparations, we are on a road to success. And considering accommodation such as here in the RAMADA Hotel, the city shows once more that Leipzig was the right choice of venue," Rapp continued.
"With a relaxed atmosphere, good food and appropriate wellness offers we want to make our small contribution to the success of the German epée fencers," said Holm Retsch, director of the RAMADA Hotel, which is one of the designated athlete hotels for the Fencing World Championships. "We are proud to support such a great event here in Leipzig. In addition to the training facilities in our health club, we will erect fencing pistes at the RAMADA Hotel for the time of the World Championships for the athletes staying with us."
Hence, Steffen Grollmisch, managing director of the fencing equipment outfitters Artos was also on the site to present the possibilities for erecting fencing strips during the World Championships. During the press conference he said: "Since 1995 we have been working on replacing the 70 kilogramme copper or sheet metal versions with lighter pistes that can be set up more quickly. The new strip can even be made available in different colours, which also makes it more telegenic. So it will be easy to differentiate between the finalist matches of the Fencing World Championships that will take place on a red, a green, a blue and a yellow fencing strip," said Steffen Grollmisch. Different floor materials currently undergo testing to ensure that the competitions for the world champion titles in the Arena Leipzig on the new strips will run safely.
Press release 14 July 2005
No. 12/2005
Double premiere with crossed swords / Medals for Fencing World Championships 2005 made of Dresden chinaWhen the world's best fencers are awarded their medals during the Fencing World Championships 2005 this autumn in Leipzig (8 to 15 October 2005, Arena Leipzig), they will take with them small treasures: for the first time in the history of fencing, the medals will be made of Dresden china. It will be double premiere, so to speak, since the Fencing World Championships are also the first sports event in the 300-year history of the Saxon Porcelain Manufacture which the company supports in this way with its trademark "crossed blue swords."
„As a Saxon company with a strong tradition, it will be a special honour and a
challenge for us to promote the Fencing World Championships beyond the boundaries of Leipzig and Saxony," says Gundela Corso, head of tourism and PR at the Meissen Porcelain Manufacture, where Dresden china is traditionally made."Therefore we were very excited when the City of Leipzig suggested this cooperation. After all, fencing and Dresden china have one thing in common – elegance and class," continues Gundela Corso.
To come up with the current models, the designers and modellers from Meissen
have been most inventive over the past few months. "First of all, we had to develop a technology for glazing the medals which also maintains the brilliance of the precious metals. After all, porcelain medals are not normally glazed. I think that after numerous attempts over the last weeks we've come up with a very successful solution, so that the medals at the Fencing World Championships will shine their gold, silver and bronze," says Corso.
Some 1,500 athletes and officials from about 80 nations are expected to attend
the Fencing World Championships 2005 which will be hosted from 8 – 15 October 2005 in the Arena Leipzig. Tickets starting at euro 9.00 are available via the ticket hotline (+49 (0)180 – 514 60 00), the website at www.arena-ticket.com and from all known advance booking offices. For additional information in four languages, please log on to www.fechten2005.de.
Press release 11 July 2005
No. 11/2005
Last weekend, the board of the German Fencing Association (DFeB) nominated the pool of athletes for the World Championships 2005, which will take place in the Arena Leipzig from 8 to 15 October. With the nomination, the board follows a recommendation of the Association's Sports Committee. The team of fencers consists of 12 women and 13 men who will enter the competitions in the disciplines sabre, epée and foil. In addition to former runner-up World Champion, Imke Duplitzer (epée), the team includes current German foil-fencing champion Katja Wächter as well as youth world champions Nicolas Limbach (sabre) and Benjamin Kleibrink (foil). The former Leipziger epée fencer Jörg Fiedler (runner-up World Champion, team) will also enter the competitions for the title in his former home-town; the board of the DFeB nominated him for the team events.
According to Gordon Rapp, President of the German Fencing Association, the
Championships in Germany will be an "international celebration of fencing." Asked about the third World Championships to be hosted in Germany after Hamburg (1978) and Essen (1993), Rapp said: "We will fill the audiences in the Arena Leipzig with enthusiasm about our sport, and we will show the world that Germany is a great fencing nation."
Some 1,500 athletes and officials from 80 nations are expected to come to Leipzig. Tickets for the Fencing World Championship starting at euro 9.00 are available via the ticket hotline (+49 (0)180 – 514 60 00), through the Arena's website at www.arena-ticket.com and from all known advance booking offices.
Anja Müller
Katja Wächter
Sandra Bingenheimer
Carolin Neckermann
Substitute: Melanie Wolgast
Benjamin Kleibrink (Bonn)
Ralf Bißdorf (Heidenheim)
Peter Joppich (Koblenz)
Dominik Behr (Tauberbischofsheim)
Substitute: Lars Schache (Tauberbischofsheim)
Imke Duplitzer (Bonn)
Monika Sozanska (Heidenheim)
Britta Heidemann (Leverkusen)
Claudia Bokel (Tauberbischofsheim)
Substitute: Beate Christmann (Tauberbischofsheim)
Norman Ackermann
Sven Schmid
Daniel Strigel
Martin Schmitt
Jörg Fiedler
Susanne König (Tauberbischofsheim)
Sibylle Klemm (Eislingen)
Stefanie Kubissa (Dormagen)
Sandra Benad (Eislingen)
Substitute: Amelie Zerfass (Eislingen)
Christian Kraus (Eislingen)
Nicolas Limbach (Dormagen)
Dennis Bauer (Koblenz)
Björn Hübner (Tauberbischofsheim)
Substitute: Martin Kindt (Tauberbischofsheim)
Press release 7 July 2005
No. 10/2005
Rarely has a season been going as smoothly for Imke Duplitzer. Already in early May she had been able to secure overall victory in the World Cup – as early as no other epée fencer before her. For the World Championships, Karlsruhe-born Imke Duplitzer will arrive in Leipzig as the unchallenged number one of the world ranking.
Mrs. Duplitzer, what do you reckon are your prospects during the World Championships?
„Having reached a number one world ranking I have great confidence in my abili-ties since I have been able to prove to myself during the season what I'm capable of. But a World Championships follows its own laws. To begin with, it will be necessary to get a good start back into preparing for competitions after the summer break. So the title of World Champion is one thing, but I definitely hope to win a medal.“
Is there a greater motivation to win the title during a World Championships held in your own country?
„A World Championships in one's own country is always something special. I've heard that there are excellent advance sales of tickets. Therefore, Leipzig offers a good opportunity to get a great audience excited about our discipline. Yet, it will also mean that audience expectations will be soaring. I therefore try to ignore the environment as much as possible, concentrating instead. After all, German fencers
The World Championships will open with scenes from the musical „3 MUSKETEERES.“
You have seen the stage premiere in Berlin?
„Yes, and it was magnificent – the fencing scenes are wonderful. I think integrating elements from „The 3 MUSKETEERS“ into the opening show is a befitting idea. Not only because it is a beautiful musical but because of the parallels between the story of the musketeers and fencing. There was one sentence in particular which stayed in my mind: ‘Honesty, courage and the will to share will make the world a better place.’ If the world meets in Leipzig in October under this creed, to compete with each other in a fair contest, to approach other cultures openly and to get together with friends, then I'm sure that this World Championships 2005 will be a grand event.“
Some 1,500 athletes and officials from about 80 nations are expected to attend the Fencing World Championship 2005 which will be hosted from 8 – 15 October 2005 in the Arena Leipzig. Tickets for Fencing World Championship are available from euro 9.00 via the ticket hotline (+49 (0)180 - 514 60 00), the website at www.arena-ticket.com and from all known advance booking offices. For additional information in four languages, please log on to the website at www.fechten2005.de.
Press release 5 July 2005
No. 9/2005
Arthos, Porthos, Aramis will open the Fencing World Championship 2005Before today's 'musketeers' will cross their blades during the Fencing World Championships (8 – 15 October 2005), the athletes and the audience will be taken on a journey through time into the 17th century. During the official opening ceremony, Arthos, Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan will bring to live the world of the (in)famous three musketeers at the French Court of 1623. Scenes from the "3 Musketeers," a musical which premiered in April at the 'Theater des Westens' in Berlin and which is based on the world-famous story of friendship, love and honour, will set the stage for the competitions for the world championships.
Mr. Stanke, we will have the opportunity of seeing you on 8 October at the Arena Leipzig as d'Artagnan. What will the opening ceremony of the Fencing World Championship have in store for the audience?
"3 Musketeers – the Musical" is an impressive, fast-paced adventure; it is based on the world-famous original novel by Alexandre Dumas, with captivating music and breathtaking fencing scenes – as such, it is unique on the musical scene.
For your part as d'Artagnan, you had to learn how to fence …
Yes, indeed! It isn't easy to forget such a tough and exacting training. Learning the individual fencing sequences was not as difficult as I had thought it would be. After all, I had already participated in fencing courses during my training as an actor. The difficulty was, or is, rather, how to bring it all together – fencing, acting and singing. And looking good doing so, isn't that easy.
What do you like about fencing?
The great thing about stage fencing is that, doing it, you really immerse yourself in the time of the musketeers. Each character has very individual characteristics and is defined by its own personal style. There is elegant Aramis, the perfect Arthos and daredevil Porthos who likes to use his fists to clear the way. And then, there is d'Artagnan, who has parts of all of these characteristics, which is what makes so him special.
Let's move from the stage to fencing. Do you see similarities between the duels of the musketeers and today's fencers?
I don't think you can compare the two, since for a musketeer a fight was always a matter of life and death. Moreover, musketeers did not use protective gear such as face mask or fencing suit. There was more at stake than making points. But nevertheless, honour plays an important role for musketeers as well as in today's sport.
The fencers of the German Olympic Team attended the premiere of "3 Musketeers" in Berlin –whom do you keep your fingers crossed for at the World Championship?
A true musketeer would fight exclusively for the wellbeing of the King of France. But in this case we will make an exception. Our slogan for the Fencing World Championship is: "One for all and all for the German team."
If you would like to see the full-length musical "3 Musketeers" at the 'Theater des Westens' in Berlin, please log on to www.3musketiere.de for further information. Tickets from euro 29.00 are available via website or ticket hotline at 01805 – 44 44.
Tickets for Fencing World Championship are available from euro 9.00 via the ticket hotline (+49 (0)180 - 514 60 00), the website at www.arena-ticket.com and from all known advance booking offices. For additional information in four languages, please log on to the website at www.fechten2005.de.
15.10.05 6:57 pm
US women's sabre team wins World Championship 45:36 against Russia
15.10.05 6:18 pm
French team is menīs foil World Champion after 45:32 victory over Italy
15.10.05 5:08 pm
Peter Joppich (GER, foil) very happy about the bronze medal after 45:40 victory against China
15.10.05 1:12 pm
Martina Genser (AUT, foil) takes stock for Austrian fencers
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