IWAS is to trial a new distance for sabre wheelchair fencing ©IWAS

The International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) has announced that it will trial a new separation distance for sabre fencing at the first two World Cups of the 2018 season.

Competitions in Eger in Hungary and Italian city Pisa will be the first featuring the new rule following the decision by the IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Executive Committee.

It means the point of the weapon must reach the inner edge of the opponent's bent arm.

This is the current rule for the foil sword with the move, if adopted, bringing sabre into line.

The new distance means the point of the weapon must reach the inner edge of the opponent's bent arm ©IWAS
The new distance means the point of the weapon must reach the inner edge of the opponent's bent arm ©IWAS

It was decided to hold the trial following last month's World Championships in Rome.

IWAS claim that the trial is a move to "maintain the dynamic nature of the sabre weapon".

The Eger and Pisa events have been selected as it means the change can be assessed before the qualification period for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Eger will open the season between February 15 and 18 before Pisa stages competition between March 9 and 11.

A full evaluation of the trial will be carried out by IWAS before any rule change is made.