38 fencers
24 fencers to qualify for main tableau
4 poules: rounds
ranking after each round with placement in poule as first criteria
Round No 1
38 fencers
6 poules (2 poules of 7, 4 poules of 6)
Separation by : countries, clubs
38 qualifiers
Round No 2
38 fencers
6 poules (2 poules of 7, 4 poules of 6)
38 qualifiers
poule winners qualified for main tableau
Round No 3
32 fencers (38 at the start, 6 exemptions)
5 poules (2 poules of 7, 3 poules of 6)
32 qualifiers
poule winners qualified for main tableau
Round No 4
27 fencers (38 at the start, 11 exemptions)
4 poules (3 poules of 7, 1 poules of 6)
27 qualifiers
poule winners qualified for main tableau
best remaining fencers on a combined ranking from poule round 2-4 qualifiy to main tableau
Main tableau
Incomplete tableau of 32 with repêchage in one phase to 8
Placement in tableau will if necessary be adjusted to avoid already fenced matches