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Champions’ Summer Stories
Beyond the competitions
How Europe’s medalists recover and prepare for the season ahead
A season to remember
The summer of 2025 has been one of triumph for European fencing. From Tbilisi to Genova, our athletes climbed the podium and delivered unforgettable moments. Now, with medals safely packed away, it is time to recharge. For some, that means the quiet of the mountains; for others, the sound of waves or the buzz of world cities. Wherever they are, Europe’s champions are living proof that recovery can be as inspiring as victory.
Finding peace in nature
Fresh from his bronze medal at the World Championships, Nikita Koshman traded the noise of the piste for the stillness of the mountains. Surrounded by endless horizons, he reflects:
“It’s the perfect place to slow down, enjoy nature, and take a proper break. The most important thing is to recharge both physically and mentally. I plan to start preparation at the end of August or early September, aiming to peak for the European and World Championships.”
Another Ukrainian épée star, Roman Svichkar, who lifted the European Championship title this summer, also found his refuge in nature:
“I’m resting in the Carpathians, where the beautiful scenery helps me recharge both mentally and physically. Spending time with loved ones and traveling always brings me energy. For now, I keep fit with running and swimming, and in September I’ll begin full fencing training.”
Balance between calm and change
Few athletes embody contrasts as beautifully as Katrina Lehis, double silver medallist in 2025. Her summer is a dance between silence and movement:
“I spend time at home reading, with my son, and also alone — I’m introverted, so that charges me a lot. I also travel, because I need the change of environment. The most important is to be away from fencing, with good food and good company. I’ll start preparation in September. My goals are always the same: to reach the highest.”
Sunshine and long journeys
For some, summer means stretching horizons across oceans. Sarah Noutcha, crowned European Champion individually in Genova and World Champion with her team in Tbilisi, chose Bali as her stage of recovery:
“The most important thing is to recover my body and my mental. I can finally take time to rest and stop rushing. I’ll begin training again soon, as I’ll compete at the Military World Championships in September.”
Meanwhile, the world’s top-ranked sabre fencer, Jean-Philippe Patrice, carried his medals into a three-week journey from Aruba to Miami to New York:
“The most important is quality time with my wife, family and friends — laughing and making memories. I’ll resume training in mid-September, already focused on keeping my world number one ranking and fighting for European and World titles individually and with the team.”
Summer breaks with family and friends
Not every summer is about faraway adventures. Gergo Szemes, double bronze medallist at the World Championships in foil, kept his routine close to home:
“I’m mainly in Budapest, but also visiting my family in Kunszentmiklós and going to Cyprus. I regenerate, play squash or padel, and most importantly — I sleep a lot! From 1 September, I’ll be back to training. My goals are to stay in the top 16 and win a medal at Europeans or Worlds.”
For Italy’s Matteo Galassi, silver and bronze medallist at the European Championships in épée, it was all about the sea:
“I’m in Cervia, going to the beach and spending time with friends. Staying with my family is key for recovery. Preparations start on 18 August with camps, and then I’ll return to Turin in September. My goal is to consolidate the team and improve on last season’s results.”
It is a reminder that sometimes, the best preparation is not found in exotic landscapes but in familiar places where the heart feels at home.
Active recovery abroad
And while some look for rest, others mix it with adventure. Zuzanna Cieslar, silver medallist at the World Championships in sabre, took her recovery all the way to Sri Lanka:
“We hike, surf, and also chill on the beach to fully recover. I’ll start physical preparation in early September and fencing in mid-September. My goal is to win an individual World Cup medal and remain in the top 16 all season.”
The image of a world finalist trading her sabre for a surfboard is perhaps the best symbol of summer’s transformative power.
Looking ahead
The stories may be different — mountains or beaches, cities or quiet homes — but the destination is the same: the piste, and the pursuit of excellence. Europe’s champions are resting, recharging, and already setting their eyes on the season to come.
With the new season just around the corner, every step on a mountain trail, every quiet moment at home, and every wave caught in distant seas is fuel for what lies ahead. Soon the summer pause will give way to the intensity of competition once more — and our champions are getting ready to shine again.