The decision was announced during the Congress of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), according to the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan. The event will play a crucial role in the qualification process for the Los Angeles Olympics, as athletes will earn ranking points that impact their eligibility for the prestigious global competition.
In addition to the championship announcement, the FIE Congress elected Alisher Usmanov, an Uzbek-born Russian businessman, as its president. Usmanov secured 120 votes, defeating Otto Drakenberg, President of the Swedish Fencing Federation, who received 26 votes.
The congress also included an awards ceremony honoring outstanding achievements in fencing. Among the honorees was Fernanda Herrera, a representative of Uzbekistan's fencing team, who was recognized for finishing the year as the leader in the junior world rankings.