74 fencers
42 fencers to qualify for main tableau
4 poules: rounds
ranking after each round with placement in poule as first criteria
Round No 1
74 fencers
11 poules (8 poules of 7, 3 poules of 6)
Separation by : countries, clubs
74 qualifiers
Round No 2
74 fencers
11 poules (8 poules of 7, 3 poules of 6)
74 qualifiers
11 poule winners qualified for main tableau
Round No 3
63 fencers (74 at the start, 11 exemptions)
11 poules (8 poules of 6, 3 poules of 5)
63 qualifiers
11 poule winners qualified for main tableau
Round No 4
52 fencers (74 at the start, 22 exemptions)
9 poules (7 poules of 6, 2 poules of 5)
52 qualifiers
9 poule winners qualified for main tableau
Preliminary tableau
22 best remaining fencers on a combined ranking from poule round 2-4 qualifiy to preliminary tableau
Main tableau
Incomplete tableau of 64 with repêchage in one phase to 8
Placement in tableau will if necessary be adjusted to avoid already fenced matches