79 fencers
44 fencers to qualify for main tableau
4 poules: rounds
ranking after each round with placement in poule as first criteria
Round No 1
79 fencers
12 poules (7 poules of 7, 5 poules of 6)
Separation by : countries, clubs
79 qualifiers
Round No 2
78 fencers
12 poules (6 poules of 7, 6 poules of 6)
78 qualifiers
12 poule winners qualified for main tableau
Round No 3
66 fencers (78 at the start, 12 exemptions)
11 poules (11 poules of 6)
66 qualifiers
12 poule winners qualified for main tableau
Round No 4
54 fencers (78 at the start, 24 exemptions)
9 poules (9 poules of 6)
54 qualifiers
10 poule winners qualified for main tableau
Preliminary tableau
20 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