The company is one of one of the world's leading suppliers of fencing products and equipment and the new sponsorship deal means that the event, which is due to take place from May 3 until 5 at the University of Illinois, will now be called the Absolute Fencing Gear Korfanty World Cup.

The competition is the only event on the international World Cup circuit staged in the United States and around 300 elite sabre fencers, including Olympic and world champion fencers, are due to compete.

"Absolute has supported USA Fencing and our athletes for a number of years, through their role as USA Fencing's Official Tournament Equipment Provider as well as their support of the USA Fencing All-Academic team and numerous individual elite athletes," said USA Fencing chief executive Val Belmonte.

"We're proud to be able to create this partnership with a company within the fencing family that has excellent relationships within the international community."

Absolute Fencing President Gary Lu has also expressed his delight at securing the deal.

"We at Absolute Fencing are very honoured to have the opportunity to sponsor this World Cup said Lu, a four-time All-American at Penn State during his fencing career.

"As a US fencing equipment company, we want to do everything we can to support fencing and help grow this wonderful sport in the US as well as in the rest of the world."

Preliminary action in the individual events is due take place on May 3 followed by final rounds on May 4.

The team competition will take place on May 5.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]