2025 Trnava Changes

02-equipment.md

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 
 4.  The bib of the mask must not roll up.
 
-5.  If a contestant leans their head in any standard angle no unprotected part or skin must be
+5.  If a contestant leans their head in any standard angle, no unprotected part or skin must be
     visible.
 
 #### Hands, arms and torso protection
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@
 3. The hips must be protected either by a fencing jacket or by padded pants.
 
 4. The thighs and the upper legs must be protected with CE Level 1 certified pants (350N) or other
-   approved thrust resistant protection.
+   approved thrust-resistant protection.
 
 ### Weapons
 
@@ -114,9 +114,10 @@
 
 5.  The pommel must be smooth and have no studs.
 
-6.  The flexibility of the blade is measured by applying pressure on blade point against scales. The
-    blade flexibility is then maximum number in kg shown on scales until the blade gets full bend.
-    Flexibility of longsword blades must be in 9-18kg interval.
+6.	The flexibility of the blade is measured by applying pressure on the blade point against
+    scales, with one hand firmly placed on the pommel. The blade’s flexibility is defined as the
+    maximum number (in kg) displayed on the scales before the blade reaches full bend. For
+    longsword blades, the acceptable range is now 9–16kg.
 
 7.  The minimum width of the point is 1cm.
 
@@ -128,7 +129,8 @@
 
 11. The overall length of the sword must be within 120-140cm.
 
-12. The weight of the sword must be between 1450 to 1800g.
+12.	Sword Weight in the men’s category must be between 1430 and 1600g. For the
+     women’s category, the sword must weigh between 1250 and 1600g.
 
 #### One-handed sword
 

03-general.md

@@ -18,17 +18,16 @@
 4.  Each fencer is allowed one coach/second who is allowed to be near the arena during bouts. This
     person may speak to their fencer during breaks but may not disturb the bout with verbal or
     physical gestures. Generally, it is the fencer who should address the referee for help,
-    clarification or appeals, the seconds should not interfere with the bout in any other way than
+    clarification, or appeals, the seconds should not interfere with the bout in any other way than
     advising their fencers during breaks.
 
 5.  The competitors called first place themselves to the right of the referee behind the on guard
     line.
 
-6.  Pool bouts last 3 minutes of effective fencing time; or until one of the fencers reaches 5
-    points. Direct Elimination bouts last 2 * 3 minutes of effective fencing time, with one minute
-    resting period after the first 3 minutes period; or until one of the fencers reaches 7 points.
-    The 'End of Time' is going to be announced by a Timekeeper, but the match can be stopped only by
-    the referee.
+6. Pool bouts last 3 minutes of effective fencing or until a competitor scores 5 points. Direct
+   Elimination bouts consist of two 3‑minute periods with a 1‑minute break in between, ending
+   when a competitor reaches 8 points. The Timekeeper announces the end of time, but only the
+   referee may stop the bout.
 
 7.  Before the beginning of each bout, the two fencers called on the arena salute to their opponent,
     and the referee. Competitors come on guard when the referee gives the order ‘On guard!’, after
@@ -146,34 +145,33 @@
 2. When only one of the fencers receives a hit within one period of fencing time, the fencer who was
    hit is called one point against.
 
-3. In case both fencers hit within one period of fencing time, three different tactical situations
+3. In case both fencers are hit within one period of fencing time, three different tactical situations
    are defined in the rules.
 
    1. A simultaneous hit is the result of a similar conception and execution of both fencers at the
-      same time. In these cases, both fencers are called a point against.
+      same time. In these cases, no fencer is awarded with a point.
 
    2. A double hit occurs when both fencers get hit within a period of fencing time, but are not
-      simultaneous actions, are evaluated according to the rules or each specific weapon.
+      simultaneous actions, are evaluated according to the rules specific for the weapon.
 
-   3. An after-action is a double hit situation, where the fencer at fault starts a counter action
+   3. An after-action is a double hit situation, where the fencer at fault starts a counter-action
       (or the finishing move of a compound action) at or after the moment of receiving a hit.
       After-actions do not score, and do not nullify the hit received.
 
 4. Hits can be made using the weapon in the following ways:
-   1. Cut - carried out with the edge or the flat of the blade on any valid target. A cut must be
-      performed with a visually distinctive trajectory (preparation more than 45 degrees) and must
-      correspond with an action that would probably cause the target area to be wounded, e.g.
-      hitting head with the flat surface of the sword also counts
+   1. **Cut** – a deliberate strike made with either edge (true or false) or with the flat of the
+    blade to any valid target. The action must be intentional and controlled, not the result of accidental contact. It must carry visually sufficient structure, if executed with a sharp blade, it would plausibly wound the target. The real impact force is not the primary requirement. A clearly visible preparation (e.g. a distinct trajectory or angular displacement of about 45 degrees or an equivalent acceleration) is required to differentiate the cut from incidental touches.
+
    2. Thrust - carried out with the point of the weapon on any valid target. A valid thrust must be
       performed in such a way that it would be visually distinctive, e.g. the blade will be bent at
-      the end of the action and the point will traverse at least 20cm.
+      the end of the action.
    3. Slice - carried out with the edge of the weapon on any valid target. A slice must be a
       movement which is defined by pushing or pulling of the blade against the valid area in a
       visually distinctive way.
    4. Strike - using the pommel of the weapon against the opponent’s facial part of mask.
    5. The referee may call an action as a valid hit, when a weapon action results in a passively
       constraining position for the opponent, for a considerable time during which the opponent is
-      unable to break free. This may be the result of of grappling, locks involving the weapon, or
+      unable to break free. This may be the result of grappling, locks involving the weapon, or
       opposing actions that restrain the opponent’s weapon movement for a considerable time, until
       the referee finds all criteria of dominance met, and calls “Halt!”. Hits received while this
       dominant position is upheld are not considered valid. However, dominance can not be applied to
@@ -209,21 +207,15 @@ Close quarter combat and grappling are allowed with the following regulations:
 
 ### Forbidden actions
 
-1.  Neck-wrenching, lifting the opponent off the ground, full application of joint locks,
+1. Neck-wrenching, lifting the opponent off the ground, full application of joint locks,
     small-joint manipulation, or other potentially dangerous wrestling techniques, punching,
     kicking, violent jostling, and throwing the weapon are strictly forbidden.
 
-2.  Excessive force, brutality or unnecessary violence are forbidden.
+2. Excessive force, brutality, or unnecessary violence are forbidden.
 
-3.  Hitting the back of the head the spine, the back of the knee or the foot is forbidden.
+3. Hitting the back of the head, the spine, the back of the knee or the foot is forbidden.
 
-4.  Turning the head or covering a valid target with a non-valid one belongs to the first group of
+4. Turning the head or covering a valid target with a non-valid one belongs to the first group of
     offences.
-
-5.  Hitting the arena floor with any weapon due to bad measure in an action will be penalised
-    according to the first group of offences (cases resulting from the opponent’s interactions,
-    accidental touches, and touching the floor after having hit the opponent, may be disregarded by
-    the Referee).
-
-6.  It is forbidden to hit with the cross-guard; and in all circumstances, to hit the back of the
+5. It is forbidden to hit with the cross-guard; and in all circumstances, to hit the back of the
     head, spine and back of the knee, and the foot of the opponent and will be penalised.

04-longsword.md

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 4.  An attack with a lunge (or other offensive footwork) is correctly carried out:
     1. in a simple attack when the beginning of the straightening of the arms precedes the launching
        of the lunge or other offensive footwork, and the hit arrives at the latest when the front
-       foot hits the ground
+       foot hits the ground.
     2. in a compound attack when the beginning of the straightening of the arms, on the first feint,
        precedes the launching of the lunge or other offensive footwork, and the hit arrives at the
        latest when the front foot hits the ground.
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
        contact of the blades is not considered as sufficient to deflect the opponent’s blade.
     2. If, when attempting to find the opponent’s blade to deflect it, the blade is not found, the
        right of attack passes to the opponent.
-    3. If the attack is commenced when the opponent’s blade is not in Langort, the attack may be
+    3. If the attack is started when the opponent’s blade is not in Langort, the attack may be
        completed either direct, or by a disengagement or by a cutover, or else be preceded by feints
        which oblige the opponent to parry.
     4. In a compound attack the opponent has the right to stop-hit; but, in order to be valid, the
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
     renewed attack clearly starts before the riposte, then the renewed attack gains priority.
 
 9.  Against thrusts, and cuts with the edge, the flat, or the back edge of the blade, the object of
-    the parry is to prevent hits made by the opponent arriving on the valid target; therefore:
+    the parry is to prevent hits made by the opponent arriving at the valid target; therefore:
     1. The parry is properly carried out when, before the completion of the attack, it prevents the
        arrival of that attack by closing the line in which that attack is to finish.
     2. When a parry is properly executed, the attack by the opponent must be declared parried, and
@@ -82,24 +82,24 @@
 
 1. Priority ceases to exist when the weapons of the opponents come together at *Stercke* on
    *Stercke* (including the crossguard), and/or in case of grappling actions. In case the weapons
-   touch *Stercke* on *Stercke*, and a double hit follows immediately, both fencers are called a
-   point against. Otherwise, they may disengage and continue fencing (with priority rules), or enter
+   touch *Stercke* on *Stercke*, and a double hit follows immediately resulting in no points
+   awarded. Otherwise, they may disengage and continue fencing (with priority rules), or enter
    grappling (with grappling rules).
 
 ## Judging of hits
 
 1.  When during a phrase both fencers are hit within a period of fencing time there is either a
     simultaneous action or a double hit:
     1. The simultaneous action is due to simultaneous conception and execution of an attack by both
-       fencers; in this case both fencers are called a point against.
+       fencers; no point assign for either fencer.
     2. The double hit on the other hand, is the result of a clearly faulty action on the part of one
        of the fencers, according to the rules. Therefore, when there is not an interval of fencing
        time between the hits.
 
 2.  When there is a double hit, and if the Referee is unable clearly to judge from which side the
     fault has come, the referee must not assign any points.
 
-3.  In cases when a stop hit is made and there is doubt as to whether it was made sufficiently in
+3.  In cases when a stop hit is made and there is doubt whether it was made sufficiently in
     time in relation to the final movement of a compound attack, the double hit often occurs through
     the fault of both fencers concerned. Since this is clearly not a tactically symmetrical case,
     the referee should assign no points. (The fault of the attacker consists of indecision, slowness

06-organisational.md

@@ -22,12 +22,11 @@
     each other, the Referee will decide whether to assign a point (being completely sure) or repeat
     the assault.
 
-4.  If the Referee is unable to interpret the fencing phrase for some reason, they can repeat the
-    exchange but will explain and apologise.
+4.  If the Referee is unable to interpret the fencing phrase for some reason, they can repeat the exchange but will explain and apologise.
 
-5.  The Referee's decisions can not be contested after the bout.
+5.  The Referee's decisions cannot be contested after the bout.
 
-6.  Main referee must be able conduct and manage bouts in English.
+6.  The main referee must be able to conduct and manage bouts in English.
 
 ### Side Referee (Assistant Referee)
 
@@ -44,24 +43,24 @@
 ### The round of pools
 
 1.  In all competitions for which the formula includes a round of pools, these pools will consist of
-    7 fencers if the number of participants is divisible by 7. Otherwise the pools will be of 7 and
-    6 fencers.
+    7 fencers if the number of participants is divisible by 7. Otherwise, the pools will be of 7
+    and 6 fencers.
 
 2.  In the pools a bout ends when:
-    1. One of the fencers has scored 5 hits. In this case the score registered on the score- sheet
+    1. One of the fencers has scored 5 hits. In this case the score registered on the scoresheet
        is the final score of the bout (V5 – Dn, where n = the number of hits scored by the losing
        fencer).
     2. Three minutes of effective fencing time have passed. (There is no warning for the last
        minute.)
 
-3.  If when the time limit expires there is a difference of at least one point between the scores of
+3.  If when the time limit expires, there is a difference of at least one point between the scores of
     the two fencers, the fencer who has scored the greater number of hits is declared winner. The
     score registered on the score-sheet is the actual score achieved in the bout (VN – Dn, where N =
     the number of hits scored by the winning fencer and n = the number of hits scored by the losing
     fencer).
 
 4.  If at the end of regulation time the scores are equal, the fencers fence for a deciding hit,
-    with a maximum time limit of one minute. Before the fencing recommences, the Referee draws lots
+    with a maximum time limit of one minute. Before the fencing recommenced, the Referee draws lots
     to decide who will be the winner if scores are still equal at the end of the extra minute.
 
 5.  In this case the score registered on the score-sheet is always the actual score achieved in the
@@ -73,7 +72,7 @@
        who did not forfeit the bout who is registered as victorious, even though the scores are not
        annulled.
     4. V0-D0 in case a fencer is withdrawn or removed from the competition, marking the opponent as
-       the winner, but not registering any scores, for all of the fencer’s bouts in the pool..
+       the winner, but not registering any scores, for all the fencer’s bouts in the pool.
 
 6.  Before the competition starts, the Organising Team will decide on and announce the number of
     fencers who will be eliminated based on the ranking established by the pools (0-40%).
@@ -96,41 +95,46 @@
     6. In cases of absolute equality between two or more fencers, their seeding order will be
        decided by drawing lots.
 
-9.  Should there be absolute equality among the last to qualify there will not be a barrage, and the
+9.  Should there be absolute equality among the last to qualify, there will not be a barrage, and the
     fencers with equal indicators will all qualify, even if they are in excess of the number decided
     on.
 
 10. A fencer who withdraws, or who is excluded, is scratched from the pool, His/her results are
     recorded as if all of their opponents had won against the fencer, but no score will be
-    registered (V0-D0). The fencer who is withdrawn or excluded during the pool, will not be
+    registered (V0-D0). The fencer who is withdrawn or excluded during the pool will not be
     included in the calculation of the ranking for the direct elimination table.
 
 11. When a fencer withdraws from one pool bout only, they are declared as having lost the bout, but
     the score established before is not annulled.
 
 ## The direct elimination
 
-1.  The direct elimination table (bout plan) – complete or incomplete – is established taking
+1. The direct elimination table (bout plan) – complete or incomplete – is established taking
     account of the classification table and the special rules for each competition (See Figure 2.)
 
-2.  The organisers of a competition publish the direct elimination bout plan. The direct elimination
-    bouts are for 7 hits or end when the two periods of three minutes, with a one-minute rest
+2. The organisers of a competition publish the direct elimination bout plan. The direct
+    elimination bouts are for 8 hits or end when the two periods of three minutes, with a
+    one-minute rest
     between the two periods, have passed.
 
-3.  During the one-minute rest a second/coach, named before the bout, may have access to the fencer.
+3. For the gold-medal bout (1st place) and the bronze-medal bout (3rd place), the Organising Team may raise the hit limit above the standard seven (e.g. 10 or 15). The chosen limit (and any corresponding time structure) must be published in the official
+      schedule before the start of the competition day.
+         bouts only.
 
-4.  The bout ends when:
-    1. One of the fencers has scored 7 hits; or
+4. During the one-minute rest a second/coach, named before the bout, may have access to the fencer.
+
+5. The bout ends when:
+    1. One of the fencers has scored 8 hits; or
     2. 2 * 3 minutes of effective fencing time have passed.
 
-5.  The fencer who has scored the greater number of hits is declared the winner.
+6. The fencer who has scored the greatest number of hits is declared the winner.
 
-6.  If at the end of regulation time the scores are equal, the fencers fence for a deciding hit,
-    with a maximum time limit of one minute. Before the fencing recommences the Referee draws lots
+7. If at the end of regulation time the scores are equal, the fencers fence for a deciding hit,
+    with a maximum time limit of one minute. Before the fencing recommenced the Referee draws lots
     to decide who will be the winner if scores are still equal at the end of the extra minute. In
     this case the score recorded on the score-sheet is the real score achieved in the bout.
 
-7.  Withdrawal: When, for whatever reason, a fencer cannot fence, or cannot complete their bout,
+8. Withdrawal: When, for whatever reason, a fencer cannot fence or cannot complete their bout,
     their opponent is declared winner of that bout. A fencer who withdraws does not lose their place
     in the overall classification of the competition.
 

07-disciplinary.md

@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
     refereeing.
 
 3.  The referee has the right to interrupt a bout if the play becomes confused, dangerous or she/he
-    is unable to clearly judge the action any more. In the absence of an objective scoring device,
+    is unable to clearly judge the action anymore. In the absence of an objective scoring device,
     the fencing phrases are judged according to the referee and assistant's observation of the
     action. While fencers are welcome to address the referee for clarification or appeals before the
     final decision is made, the referee's judgment regarding facts is not to be questioned in