FENCING: Australia have made a good start to the World Fencing Championships in Moscow with Melbourne's Lucas Webber blitzing his opposition to move into the qualifying rounds of the men's foil.

The championships are an important step in the qualifying process for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where Australia hope to field its largest team since Sydney 2000 when they had seven athletes.

Fencing at the world championships for the first time, Webber displayed a level of speed and intensity which his more experienced opponents found difficult to match.

"I'm absolutely stoked to have made it this far and can't wait for the next round", said 20-year-old student Webber.

He will take on Radu Daraban from Romania in the round of 64 on Thursday (Friday AEST).

Foil, epee and sabre are the three weapons used in fencing, with the target areas and blades different in the disciplines.

AAP