On the Left - France France is the reigning 2021 Tokyo Olympic Champion, however, none of the fencers on that team is fencing during this bout. Enzo LEFORT is acting as reserve for reasons unknown. Erwan LE PECHOUX has been coaching the Japanese Foil Teams since the end of the Tokyo Olympic Cycle. Max CHASTANET, who fenced during the 2022 Cairo World Championships is not fencing on this team for reasons unknown. Given how close to 2024 it is, it is likely that several, if not all, of this team will be the one that France would send to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Most likely one of them (not Lefort) will be switched out for Chastanet later during this season On the Right - Japan Since Russia has been banned from competing, Japan has been making the semifinals of events more often - most often losing both bouts to come forth. Since the end of the previous season, Reigning Junior World Champion and 2022 Senior Belgrade Grand Prix Bronze Medalist, IIMURA Kazuki has replaced SAITO Toshiya for most team events. SUZUMURA Kenta is also now in the top 4 again Previous Match-ups: Despite Le Pechoux now coaching Team Japan, Japan has still yet to beat France in recent events. France defeated Japan in the Bronze medal bout of the 2022 Cairo World Championships. France had also defeated Japan in the Semifinal of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Besides Lefort and IImura, these two teams are now very similar in age - everyone are around the 24-26 age range, so it's likely that they fenced each other during Juniors Team FRANCE Pierre LOISEL Alexandre EDIRI Alexandre SIDO Enzo LEFORT (R) Team JAPAN SHIKINE Takahiro 敷根 崇裕 MATSUYAMA Kyosuke 松山 恭助 SUZUMURA Kenta 鈴村健太 IIMURA Kazuki (R)
![2022 Bonn [Bronze] Japan v France | Men's Foil Fencing Team World Cup | 日本 v フランス フェンシング](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
