Giorgio Santelli
Encyclopedia
Maestro Giorgio Santelli (November 25, 1897 – October 8, 1985) 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 Italian citizenship, Giorgio was the son of Italo Santelli
, a renowned fencing master from Italy who revolutionised sabre technique and was called the "Father of Modern Sabre Fencing".
Giorgio was an Olympian in 1920, where he won a gold medal in the team sabre
. He won the Austrian, Hungarian, and Italian sabre championships, and the Austrian and Hungarian foil championships—equivalent to winning the Olympics in two different weapons.
Santelli fought and won a famous duel with Adolfo Cotronei, arising out of an Olympic fencing dispute between his Italian father, Italo, who drove the Hungarian team, and the leader of the Italian team.
Maestro Santelli immigrated to the U.S. in 1924. He initially taught his art at the New York Athletic Club, before founding Salle Santelli in New York City. Giorgio was US National Coach for several decades, and U.S. Olympic Coach in 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, and 1952. He trained many national team members and champions from the 1940s through the 1980s, teaching champions and prominent fencers including George Worth
, Tibor Nyilas, George Kolombatovich, Allan Kwartler
, Neil Lazar, Uriah Jones, Robert Russell, Anne O'Donnell Russell, Marty Lang, Denise O'Connor, Ed Ballinger, Israel Colon, Ernest Schmatolla, Maurice Kamhi, Andy Shaw, Ed Wright, Justin Tausig, and many others.
In 1934, he established the United States Fencing Equipment Company, renamed in 1955 to George Santelli, Inc. This was one of the most widely known 20th century fencing supply houses in the United States.
Santelli tirelessly and generously promoted fencing in all aspects, including stage choreography on Broadway
(in productions of Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Peter Pan and many others) and providing free instruction to high school fencers. Giorgio generously supported fencing masters coming to the United States, giving them a place to teach until they established their own schools, including great maestros such as Csaba Elthes
. Santelli made a unique contribution by tearing down the color barrier that existed in what had been a patrician sport, inviting black fencers to his club at a time when fencing had been a segregated activity, and producing Olympians and national champions such as Uriah Jones
, Ed Ballinger, and Ed Wright.
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...
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 Italian citizenship, Giorgio was the son of Italo Santelli
Italo Santelli
Italo Santelli was an Italian fencer who is considered to be the "father of modern sabre fencing".-Early life:...
, a renowned fencing master from Italy who revolutionised sabre technique and was called the "Father of Modern Sabre Fencing".
Giorgio was an Olympian in 1920, where he won a gold medal in the team sabre
Sabre (fencing)
The sabre is one of the three weapons of modern sport fencing, and is alternatively spelled saber in American English. The sabre differs from the other modern fencing weapons, the épée and foil, in that it is possible to score with the edge of the blade; for this reason, sabreur movements and...
. He won the Austrian, Hungarian, and Italian sabre championships, and the Austrian and Hungarian foil championships—equivalent to winning the Olympics in two different weapons.
Santelli fought and won a famous duel with Adolfo Cotronei, arising out of an Olympic fencing dispute between his Italian father, Italo, who drove the Hungarian team, and the leader of the Italian team.
Maestro Santelli immigrated to the U.S. in 1924. He initially taught his art at the New York Athletic Club, before founding Salle Santelli in New York City. Giorgio was US National Coach for several decades, and U.S. Olympic Coach in 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, and 1952. He trained many national team members and champions from the 1940s through the 1980s, teaching champions and prominent fencers including George Worth
George Worth
George V. Worth was an American sabre fencer.-US Championship:In 1954, Worth was the U.S. national sabre champion, and he was a 5-time medalist.-Olympics:...
, Tibor Nyilas, George Kolombatovich, Allan Kwartler
Allan Kwartler
Allan S. Kwartler , born in New York City, was an American sabre and foil fencer.He was Pan-American sabre champion, 3-time Olympian, and twice a member of sabre teams that earned 4th-place in Olympic Games .-Fencing career:Kwartler began fencing at Wayne State University under Bela de Tuscan at...
, Neil Lazar, Uriah Jones, Robert Russell, Anne O'Donnell Russell, Marty Lang, Denise O'Connor, Ed Ballinger, Israel Colon, Ernest Schmatolla, Maurice Kamhi, Andy Shaw, Ed Wright, Justin Tausig, and many others.
In 1934, he established the United States Fencing Equipment Company, renamed in 1955 to George Santelli, Inc. This was one of the most widely known 20th century fencing supply houses in the United States.
Santelli tirelessly and generously promoted fencing in all aspects, including stage choreography on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
(in productions of Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Peter Pan and many others) and providing free instruction to high school fencers. Giorgio generously supported fencing masters coming to the United States, giving them a place to teach until they established their own schools, including great maestros such as Csaba Elthes
Csaba Elthes
Maestro Csaba Elthes was a fencing master who immigrated to the U.S. to become the coach to the U.S. Olympic Bronze Medalist in 1984, Peter Westbrook. Elthes trained many Olympic competitors in the 1960s through 1980s....
. Santelli made a unique contribution by tearing down the color barrier that existed in what had been a patrician sport, inviting black fencers to his club at a time when fencing had been a segregated activity, and producing Olympians and national champions such as Uriah Jones
Uriah Jones
Uriah Jones was an American fencer. He competed in the team foil event at the 1968 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Ed Ballinger, and Ed Wright.