Albert Axelrod
Encyclopedia
Albert Axelrod, known as Albie, (February 12, 1921, in The Bronx, New York – February 24, 2004, of a heart attack in The Bronx), was an American
foil
fencer
. He is America’s most enduring fencing champion.
He was the only American men's foil fencer to reach the world championship individual finals until Gerek Meinhardt
won the bronze medal in the 2010 World Fencing Championships
.
kept Axelrod from participating in most sports, so his mother encouraged him to learn fencing at Stuyvesant High School
in New York
. After graduation in 1938, he studied at the Salle Santelli under the 1920 Olympic champion, Giorgio Santelli
, and won amateur titles as a member of the Salle Santelli club.
, and then attended the City College of New York
(CCNY), which had one of the best fencing teams in the nation.
In 1948, he was U.S. Intercollegiate Fencing Association
and NCAA Champion, and led City College to the National Team Foil Championship.
in 1955, 1958, 1960, and 1970, and # 2 nine times.
Axelrod was ranked in the U.S. Top 10 for 22 years, 1942–70, missing three of those years in military service.
Five times his team won the National Foil Team Championship (1940, 1950, 1952, 1954, and 1958), and 5 times his team captured the National Three-Weapon team crown (1949, 1952, 1954, 1962, and 1963).
in Individual Foil
competition at the 1960 Summer Olympics
was only the 4th Olympic fencing medal ever won by an American.
beginning in 1957, winning numerous gold and silver medals in both foil and sabre competition.
in 1966, "I have no purely defensive moves." It was his credo. Opponents had to contend not only with a never-give-up mentality, but a technique that had little relation to the classical schools.
“Everyone attributes my skill to a physical freak, saying that I have tremendously fast reflexes,” he once said. “But I am not a natural athlete. When it comes to fencing, I’m completely synthetic. I’ve had to practise arduously and break down into tiny components every move I make.”
in 1973.
He was inducted into the USFA Hall of Fame
in 1974.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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:...
fencer
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
. He is America’s most enduring fencing champion.
He was the only American men's foil fencer to reach the world championship individual finals until Gerek Meinhardt
Gerek Meinhardt
Gerek Lin Meinhardt is a foil fencer from San Francisco, California, United States.Meinhardt was one of two children born to Kurt and Jane Meinhardt. He attended Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco for two years and completed high school in a home schooling program...
won the bronze medal in the 2010 World Fencing Championships
2010 World Fencing Championships
The 2010 World Fencing Championships were held at the Grand Palais in Paris, France 4–13 November.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:- Participating nations :...
.
High School
Axelrod is Jewish, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants who had fled the pogroms, grew up in the Bronx. A micro-heart murmurHeart murmur
Murmurs are extra heart sounds that are produced as a result of turbulent blood flow that is sufficient to produce audible noise. Most murmurs can only be heard with the assistance of a stethoscope ....
kept Axelrod from participating in most sports, so his mother encouraged him to learn fencing at Stuyvesant High School
Stuyvesant High School
Stuyvesant High School , commonly referred to as Stuy , is a New York City public high school that specializes in mathematics and science. The school opened in 1904 on Manhattan's East Side and moved to a new building in Battery Park City in 1992. Stuyvesant is noted for its strong academic...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. After graduation in 1938, he studied at the Salle Santelli under the 1920 Olympic champion, Giorgio Santelli
Giorgio Santelli
Maestro Giorgio Santelli was a fencer and fencing master who was the largest mid-20th century influence in raising the quality and popularity of fencing in the United States, and creator of one of the best-known fencing equipment manufacturers.Born in Budapest, Hungary, but always keeping his...
, and won amateur titles as a member of the Salle Santelli club.
College
Axelrod served with the Navy in the Pacific during World War IIWorld 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...
, and then attended the City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
(CCNY), which had one of the best fencing teams in the nation.
In 1948, he was U.S. Intercollegiate Fencing Association
Intercollegiate Fencing Association
The Intercollegiate Fencing Association is the oldest collegiate fencing conference in the United States. It is affiliated with the Eastern College Athletic Conference .-Membership:The IFA has 12 members...
and NCAA Champion, and led City College to the National Team Foil Championship.
US Championships & # 1 US ranking
Axelrod was ranked # 1 in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1955, 1958, 1960, and 1970, and # 2 nine times.
Axelrod was ranked in the U.S. Top 10 for 22 years, 1942–70, missing three of those years in military service.
Five times his team won the National Foil Team Championship (1940, 1950, 1952, 1954, and 1958), and 5 times his team captured the National Three-Weapon team crown (1949, 1952, 1954, 1962, and 1963).
World Championships
He was also a member of 4 United States World Championship teams — best finish 5th in 1958.Olympics
Axelrod was a member of 5 consecutive U.S. Olympic Teams (1952–68). His bronze medalBronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
in Individual 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:...
competition at the 1960 Summer Olympics
1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
was only the 4th Olympic fencing medal ever won by an American.
Pan American Games
He was also a member of 4 U.S. Pan American Games teams, winning 3 team gold medals (in '51(?), '59, and '63), and 2 silver medals (in '55 and '67), and 4 silver medals in Individual Foil (in '55, '59, '63, and '67).Maccabiah Games
Axelrod, who was Jewish, competed in 6 World Maccabiah GamesMaccabiah Games
The Maccabiah is an international Jewish athletic event similar to the Olympics held in Israel every four years under the auspices of the Maccabi Federation, affiliated with the Maccabi World Union. The Maccabiah Games is the third largest international sports competition in the world...
beginning in 1957, winning numerous gold and silver medals in both foil and sabre competition.
Approach to Fencing
Axelrod had an aggressive, straight-ahead attacking style. As Axelrod told The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
in 1966, "I have no purely defensive moves." It was his credo. Opponents had to contend not only with a never-give-up mentality, but a technique that had little relation to the classical schools.
“Everyone attributes my skill to a physical freak, saying that I have tremendously fast reflexes,” he once said. “But I am not a natural athlete. When it comes to fencing, I’m completely synthetic. I’ve had to practise arduously and break down into tiny components every move I make.”
Hall of Fame inductions
Axelrod was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of FameInternational Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was opened July 7, 1981, in Netanya, Israel. It honors Jewish athletes and their accomplishments from anywhere around the world....
in 1973.
He was inducted into the USFA Hall of Fame
USFA Hall of Fame
This is a list of the members of the United States Fencing Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame itself is on display at the Museum of American Fencing, in Shreveport, Louisiana.-1963-1978:...
in 1974.