Inna Deriglazova has discovered her first opponent at the Championships ©Getty Images

Andrea Bimova set up a clash with defending champion Inna Deriglazova of Russia as the women’s foil competition began at the International Fencing Federation (FIE) World Championships in Leipzig.

The Czech fencer was forced to battle through a pool phase to reach the last 64 stage of the event at the Arena Leipzig in the German city.

Bimova claimed two victories but suffered four defeats during the phase but her efforts were enough to progress.

She faces an uphill battle as the lowest seeded fencer left in the competition, with Russian star Deriglazova lying in wait.

The Olympic gold medallist was among those to enjoy a bye through to the last 64, with her bid for back-to-back titles now set to begin in earnest.

Second seed Lee Kiefer of the United States will meet Indonesia’s Chintya Anreiny Pua on the other half of the draw.

Aron Szilagyi will begin his campaign against Thailand’s Ruangrit Haekerd ©Getty Images
Aron Szilagyi will begin his campaign against Thailand’s Ruangrit Haekerd ©Getty Images

Hungary’s Aron Szilagyi is the top seed in the men’s individual sabre competition.

The double Olympic champion is set to take on Thailand’s Ruangrit Haekerd.

The 27-year-old could meet Junghwan Kim of South Korea in the final, should the top seeds justify their billing.

Kim is due to begin his campaign by taking on Argentina’s Stefano Ivan Lucchetti.

South Korea will also have high hopes in the men’s individual epee event, with Sangyoung Park heading into the competition as the top seed.

He will take on Luxembourg’s Flavio Giannotte in the last 64 stage.

Second seed Yannick Borel, of France, is scheduled to meet Switzerland’s Georg Kuhn.