USA's Gabi Sabharwal Elected to World Para Fencing Executive Committee, Representing the Americas
Share:
by Bryan Wendell
At the sport’s Congress in Italy, Sabharwal was elected to the World Para Fencing Executive Committee.
As we work to expand parafencing in the United States, we’re going to want some friends in high places.
That’s why this week’s news from Pisa, Italy, was so promising: the USA’s Gabrielle Tabori Sabharwal was elected to the World Para Fencing Executive Committee at the sport’s Congress on Monday. Sabharwal’s election as the Americas representative opens new doors for advancing parafencing both in the U.S. and across the region.
Christina Massiala-Vaka, a longstanding member of USA Fencing who represents Greece, was also elected, taking on the key role of Gender Equity representative for World Para Fencing.
A dedicated advocate for parafencing since 1991, Sabharwal brings decades of event-organizing experience and a profound commitment to supporting adaptive athletes. Her extensive background includes work with the International Fair Play Committee, where she has championed public awareness of athletes’ journeys and achievements.
“Wheelchair fencing has been a big part of my life since 1991,” Sabharwal says. “I became thoroughly familiar with wheelchair athletics after an accident involving my close family friend, Pal Szekeres. When Pal transitioned from an able-bodied to a disabled athlete, he included me in his journey — the rough days, the positive phases, and the daily reality for a disabled person, both mentally and physically. This experience gave me a much deeper understanding of what it means to be a true supporter, not just a spectator.”
Among the attendees at the Congress were distinguished figures from the fencing community, including USA Fencing CEO Phil Andrews and Paralympic bronze medalist Scott Rodgers PLY, both representing Team USA.
“We’re thrilled to see Gabi represent the Americas on the Executive Committee,” Andrews says. “Her passion and expertise will be invaluable in promoting parafencing across our continent and beyond.”
Sabharwal joins a newly elected Executive Committee led by Hungarian Pal Szekeres, who was re-elected as Chairperson, with Brazil’s Arno Perillier Schneider serving as the new Vice-Chairperson. Together, this leadership team looks toward the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games as a pivotal opportunity to further develop the sport.
The Congress also approved a significant new rule permitting athletes to compete in only two weapons per individual event at major championships. This initiative, led by Ukraine, aims to encourage specialized competition while maintaining versatility in team events.
Additionally, the Congress announced an official rebranding: starting in 2025, the sport will be known internationally as “World Para Fencing” (previously “Wheelchair Fencing”). In the U.S., however, the single-term “parafencing” will remain in usage, as in “USA Parafencing” and “the sport of parafencing.” You’ll see us use parafencing when referring to the sport itself or domestic competitions and “Para Fencing” when referring to international entities or events.
So that means:
- The international federation that governs World Para Fencing is known as World Abilitysport.
- The sport is known internationally as World Para Fencing.
- The World Para Fencing Executive Committee oversees the sport of World Para Fencing internationally.
- In the United States, we will continue to refer to the sport as “parafencing.”
Whether you call it Para Fencing or parafencing, one thing is clear: With leaders like Sabharwal at the helm, the sport is entering a new era of growth, inclusivity and international solidarity.
