Age Criteria
Age Criteria
2026-2027 Season
Age Categories and Criteria for Years of Birth
Starting with the 2026-2027 season, the Chofu City Fencing Association will establish seasonal “age categories and eligibility criteria based on year of birth” for tournaments organized and operated by the Association.
Purpose of Introducing Age Criteria
The Chofu City Fencing Association is working to create an environment that welcomes not only domestic athletes but also many athletes from overseas to participate in our tournaments.
To further increase opportunities for international competitions and exchanges—starting with the Tokyo International Fencing Tournament—we will transition our age category system from one based solely on Japanese school grades to one based on the internationally recognized “age and year of birth.”
The purpose of this initiative is not only to make it easier for athletes from overseas participating in Japanese tournaments to compete in age categories similar to those they are accustomed to in their home countries or at international events, but also to ensure that athletes from Chofu and elsewhere in Japan are accustomed to competing within a similar age-category framework when they participate in international tournaments.
From domestic tournaments to international ones, and from overseas athletes competing in Japanese tournaments.
We aim to create an environment where athletes can compete naturally within age categories that are as consistent as possible, regardless of their country or region.
Basic Standards for the 2026–2027 Season
Applicable Season
From September 2026 through the “Tokyo International Fencing Tournament” in the summer of 2027
Age Calculation Standards
As a general rule, the age as of December 31, 2026, will be used as the basis.
Category Classification
Rather than changing categories based on the date of the tournament or a birthday that falls during the season, we generally determine eligibility for the entire season based on “Birth Year.”
2026-2027 Season Age Groups
| Category | International Notation | Age Criteria | Eligible Birth Years | Approximate Grade Levels |
| U8 | Under8 | 7 years old and under | Born in 2019 or later | Preschoolers through first graders |
| U10 | Under10 | 9 years old and under | Born in 2017–2018 | Grades 2–3 elementary school level |
| U12 | Under12 | 11 years old and under | Born in 2015–2016 | Grades 4–5 elementary school level |
| U14 | Under14 | 13 years old and under | Born in 2013–2014 | Grades 6 through 9 |
| U17（Cadet） | Cadet / U17 | 16 years old and under | Born between 2010 and 2012 | Second year of middle school through first year of high school level |
| U20（Junior） | Junior / U20 | 19 years old and under | Born between 2007 and 2009 | Equivalent to the second year of college through the first year of university |
| Open | Senior / Open | No upper age limit | Check the eligibility requirements for each tournament | High school level or higher |
*The "Approximate Grade Levels" are provided as a reference to make it easier for athletes in Japan to verify their eligibility.
Differences from the Japanese School Grade System
The age criteria being introduced this time prioritize alignment with international age categories rather than the Japanese school year (April to March of the following year).
As a result, depending on the month of birth, athletes in the same school grade may be placed in different categories. Additionally, these categories may differ from the previous class-based divisions, such as the “Elementary School Grade X Division” or “Middle School Division.”
While grade-based divisions may be easier to understand in Japan, many international competitions organize categories based on age or year of birth.
The Chofu City Fencing Association not only welcomes athletes from overseas but also looks forward to Chofu and Japanese athletes actively participating in international competitions in the future.
One of the goals of introducing these new criteria is to ensure that by competing regularly in age categories similar to those used in international competitions, athletes can smoothly adapt to the competitive environment when they participate in tournaments abroad.
While the differences from Japan’s school grade system may cause some inconvenience, we ask for your understanding as this initiative is designed to promote both participation from overseas and opportunities for domestic athletes to compete in international tournaments.
About the Participation Categories for Each Tournament
The categories offered at each tournament may vary depending on the tournament’s scale, competition format, and other factors.
Additionally, eligibility requirements for participating in higher categories (so-called “skipping a level”) or in open categories may be specified in the guidelines for each individual tournament.
When actually registering, please check the guidelines and registration page for each tournament.
The Chofu City Fencing Association values accessibility as a local tournament while striving to create a competitive environment where athletes can enjoy and challenge themselves in fencing across national and regional boundaries, under the motto “From overseas to Chofu, and from Chofu to overseas.”
