41 fencers
24 fencers to qualify for main tableau
4 poule rounds
ranking after each round with placement in poule as first criteria.
Round No 1
41 fencers
6 poules (5 poules of 7, 1 poule of 6)
Separation by : countries, clubs
41 qualifiers
Round No 2
41 fencers
6 poules (5 poules of 7, 1 poule of 6)
41 qualifiers
6 poule winners qualified for main tableau
Round No 3
34 fencers (41 at the start, 6 exemptions, 1 abandoned)
6 poules (4 poules of 6, 2 poules of 5)
6 poule winners qualified for main tableau
Round No 4
28 fencers (41 at the start, 12 exemptions, 1 abandoned)
5 poules (3 poules of 6, 2 poules of 5)
28 qualifiers
5 poule winners qualified for main tableau
Preliminary tableau
14 best remaining fencers on a combined ranking from poule round 2-4 qualifiy to preliminary 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