The 2025–2026 EFC Cadet Circuit has come to an end, bringing another exciting season of competition to a close and highlighting the next generation of European fencing talent.
After months of international events across the continent, six athletes finished at the top of the overall rankings: Mahel Boumaza (FRA) in men's foil, Alara Atmaca (TUR) in women's foil, Stefan Popa (ROU) in men's épée, Johanna Kurtinecz (ROU) in women's épée, Christian Avaltroni (ITA) in men's sabre and Anna Torre (ITA) in women's sabre.
Winning the overall Cadet Circuit requires much more than a single outstanding result. It demands consistency throughout an entire season, the ability to perform under pressure and the determination to keep improving from one competition to the next. Several of this year's champions shared the lessons that helped them reach the top.
Mahel Boumaza (FRA) – Men's Foil
For men's foil winner Mahel Boumaza, consistency begins with discipline. The French fencer credits his success to the commitment he puts into training every day, as well as the attention paid to the small details that can influence performance at the highest level.
One of the biggest lessons he learned this season was the importance of surrounding himself with people he can trust. Coaches, family and friends have all played a vital role in helping him through difficult moments and major competitions. Whenever results do not go his way, Boumaza focuses on understanding why and identifying what needs to change in order to improve.
His motivation remains firmly fixed on future goals. Every training session is approached with the next competition in mind, and his immediate objective is clear: winning a World Championship title after narrowly missing out this season.
Alara Atmaca (TUR) – Women's Foil
Women's foil winner Alara Atmaca believes discipline and focus were the foundations of her successful campaign. Throughout the season, she remained committed to her goals, learned from mistakes and refused to allow setbacks to affect her long-term ambitions.
The season taught the Turkish fencer an important lesson about self-belief. By remaining patient and trusting her work, she discovered that she is capable of achieving more than she once imagined. During difficult periods, she stays motivated by reminding herself of her goals and how much she wants to achieve them.
Looking ahead, Atmaca has already set her sights on winning a medal at the World Championships and continuing her journey towards the Olympic Games.
Anna Torre (ITA) – Women's Sabre
Women's sabre winner Anna Torre found one of the keys to success in a simple but powerful idea: enjoying fencing.
The Italian sabreur explained that her consistency came from never giving up and from learning to fence for enjoyment rather than focusing exclusively on winning. This approach allowed her to compete with less anxiety and greater freedom throughout the season.
Torre says the year taught her not to place limits on herself and to continue believing even during the most challenging moments. Her passion for the sport and her desire to improve every day continue to drive her forward, even when results do not immediately match expectations.
Her next goal is not only to continue improving technically, but also to become increasingly confident in every decision she makes on the piste.
Johanna Kurtinecz (ROU) – Women's Épée
Women's épée winner Johanna Kurtinecz attributes her success to thorough preparation before every competition, both physically and mentally. Daily training, combined with the support of coaches, parents and friends, helped her maintain a consistently high level throughout the season.
The Romanian fencer described this as the most successful year of her career so far. It reinforced the importance of patience, hard work and trusting the process. She learned that success does not come easily and that every result must be earned through dedication and commitment.
When competitions do not go according to plan, Kurtinecz uses disappointment as motivation for the next challenge. The support of her coaches, family and friends helps her stay focused on long-term goals and continue moving forward.
Her attention is already turning towards next season, with the European and World Championships standing out as her primary objectives. Winning a medal on one of those stages is now the challenge that motivates her every day.
Although each champion followed a different path to the top, their reflections reveal several common themes: discipline, resilience, patience and the support of the people around them. These qualities allowed them to maintain excellence throughout an entire season and emerge as the best cadet fencers in Europe.
As the curtain falls on the 2025–2026 EFC Cadet Circuit, the achievements of this year's winners offer an encouraging glimpse into the future of European fencing. Their success is not only a reward for what they have already accomplished, but also a sign of what may still lie ahead.
