A number of world champions and Olympic medallists will be among the athletes from more than 300 teams that will be taking part in the 12-day tournament which runs from June 22 to July 3.

Athletes will fence in the National Championships first, followed by the July North American Cup that will see both individual and team titles contested across epee, foil and saber disciplines.

During the National Championships, titles will be awarded in Division IA, Division II, Division III, Y14 and veteran competitions which include age categories 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69 and over 70s.

The July North American Cup is open to both United States and foreign fencers and will include competitions for the Division I, Y10, Y12, under-16 and under-19 age groups.

The Greater Columbus Convention Center hosted the tournament last year and it is claimed the event is expected to generate more than $5 million (£2.9 million/€3.7 million) over the 12 days of action.

Competition will begin daily at 8am local time and conclude at around 9.30pm, with medal rounds being held throughout each day of competition.

The tournament, which will be held in Halls D, E and F of the Convention Center, is free and open to the public.

Columbus hosted the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships earlier this year and will host the event again in 2015.

"We are so happy to be hosting the USA Fencing National Championships and the North American Cup for the second consecutive year," said Greater Columbus Sports Commission executive director, Linda Shetina Logan

"Hosting the best fencers in the United States will be the highlight of our summer.

"The group has expanded their dates and added more competitions within the championships with more opportunities to roll out the red carpet to USA Fencing participants and fans visiting our city."

Olympic bronze medallists Courtney Hurley and Kelley Hurley will be competing at the Greater Columbus Convention Center ©Getty Images



With the addition of the Division I senior elite event to this year's July North American Cup, 15 members of the US national team are expected to compete in Columbus as part of their build-up to this year's World Championships in Kazan, Russia, which run from July 15 to 23.

Among those set to compete are London 2012 bronze medallists Courtney Hurley and Kelley Hurley, reigning world champion Miles Chamley-Watson and former junior world champions Nzingha Prescod, Nicole Ross and Margaret Lu.

The US men's foil team will also be holding a training camp in Columbus from June 28 to 30.

"The response to last year's tournament was amazing and, as our sport continues to grow, we're set to break the record number of participants that competed at the 2013 Nationals and NAC," said USA Fencing executive director, Kris Ekeren.

"The staff of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission was one of the best we've worked with and the local organising committee has stepped up and has offered tremendous help as we work together on coordinating a top-notch event, so we're looking forward to being back in Columbus.

"We have eight members of our 2012 Olympic team fencing in preparation for this year's World Championships and encourage the central Ohio community to come see our fencers in action."

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