39 fencers
28 fencers to qualify for main tableau
4 poules: rounds
ranking after each round with placement in poule as first criteria
Round No 1
39 fencers
6 poules (3 poules of 7, 3 poules of 6)
Separation by : countries, clubs
39 qualifiers
Round No 2
39 fencers
6 poules (3 poules of 7, 3 poules of 6)
39 qualifiers
6 poule winners qualified for main tableau
Round No 3
33 fencers (39 at the start, 6 exemptions)
6 poules (3 poules of 6, 3 poules of 5)
33 qualifiers
6 poule winners qualified for main tableau
Round No 4
27 fencers (39 at the start, 12 exemptions)
5 poules (2 poules of 6, 3 poules of 5)
27 qualifiers
5 poule winners qualified for main tableau
11 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