College career

Balk, a 1947 graduate of the New York University

New York University

New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...

 (NYU) School of Commerce (now known as the Stern School of Business), was a member of the Violets' fencing team. He captained the squad to its first-ever NCAA team championship in 1947, and was named the foil

Foil (fencing)

A foil is a type of weapon used in fencing. It is the most common weapon in terms of usage in competition, and is usually the choice for elementary classes for fencing in general.- Components:...

 and épée Fencer of the Year.

Balk won more bouts than any other NYU fencer, with approximately 130 victories.

In 1947, Balk established the NCAA record for most individual championships in one year. He amassed five gold medal

Gold medal

A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...

s, including individual honors in foil and épée.http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:Np8iU8UffTsJ:www.nyu.edu/athletics/hof/2003inductees.html+Abraham+Balk&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=ushttp://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:N25e-xZ5dUIJ:www.hickoksports.com/history/ncaafencing.shtml+%22Abraham+Balk%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

Olympics

Although his career was interrupted for two-and-a-half years by World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, he was selected to the 1948 Summer Olympics

Summer Olympic Games

The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...

 squad in London, England, but didn't compete in any events.

Halls of Fame

Balk, who was Jewish, was inducted into the National Jewish Museum Sports Hall of Fame

National Jewish Museum Sports Hall of Fame

The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, in Commack, New York, is dedicated to honoring American Jewish sports figures who have distinguished themselves in sports....

.

Balk was also inducted into the New York University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:Np8iU8UffTsJ:www.nyu.edu/athletics/hof/2003inductees.html+Abraham+Balk&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us