List of notable fencers
Encyclopedia
Fencers & coaches of the Olympic era
Austria- Siegfried FleschSiegfried FleschSiegfried "Fritz" Flesch was an Austrian sabre fencer who competed in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Flesch was Jewish.-Olympic fencing career:...
, Austrian saber fencer & Olympic bronze medalist
- Otto HerschmannOtto HerschmannDr. Otto Herschmann was a Jewish Austrian swimmer, fencer, lawyer, and sport official. He is one of only three athletes to have won Olympic medals in different sports.-Olympic swimming career:...
, Austrian fencer (saber); one of only a few athletes to have won Olympic medals in different sports; won silver medal in sabre team competition in 1912
- Ellen PreisEllen PreisEllen Müller-Preis, née Preis, was an Austrian foil fencer. She was born in Berlin, Germany.In 1949, she was named Austrian female athlete of the year.-Fencing career:...
, Austrian fencer (foil), Olympic champion
Belarus
- Elena Belova (Novikova) - foilist, 1968 individual Olympic Champion, 1969 individual World Champion, member of winning Soviet team at 1968, 1972, and 1976 Olympics and 1970, 1971, and 1974 World Championships
- Alexandr RomankovAlexandr RomankovAlexandr Romankov is a former fencer from the former Soviet Union, who was born November 7, 1953 in the town of Korsakov on the island of Sakhalin . One of the most successful Soviet fencers, he is also regarded by some as the greatest foilist of the 20th century...
- foilist, regarded by some as the greatest foilist of the 20th century
- Viktor SidjakViktor SidjakViktor Alexandrovich Sidyak is a successful left-handed sabreur from the Soviet era, pupil of Mark Rakita and David Tyshler. As a fencer, Sidyak was famous for his aggressive style...
- Olympic (1972) and World (1969) Champion, winner of the 1972 & 1973 World Cup, also member of winning team at 1968, 1976, and 1980 Olympics and at 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975, and 1979 World Team Championships; pupil of David TyshlerDavid TyshlerDavid Abramovich Tyshler is a former competitive sabreur, part of the first generation of internationally successful Soviet fencers . He is best known as an extremely successful and innovative fencing coach...
Belgium
- Henri AnspachHenri AnspachHenri Anspach was a Belgian épée and foil fencer.-Olympic fencing Career:Anspach, who was Jewish, was a member of the Belgian fencing team at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, and won a gold medal in the team épée competition...
, Belgian fencer (épée and foil), Olympic champion
- Paul AnspachPaul AnspachPaul Anspach was a Belgian épée and foil fencer.Anspach competed in four Olympiads for the Belgian fencing team .-Early life:Anspach was born in Burcht, Belgium on 1 April 1882....
, Belgian fencer (épée and foil), 2-time Olympic champion
- Jacques OchsJacques OchsJacques Ochs , was a Jewish Belgian artist and épée and foil fencer.-Early years, and art study:Ochs was Jewish, and was born in Nice, France. His family moved to Liège, Belgium, in 1893. Ochs studied art there at the Royal Academy of Art in Liège, graduating 1903. He won the Donnay Prize that year...
, Belgian fencer (épée), Olympic champion
- Gaston SalmonGaston SalmonGaston Salmon was a Belgian épée, foil, and sabre fencer. He was Jewish.-Olympic fencing career:Salmon represented Belgium at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, competing in three events, winning a gold medal in team épée....
, Belgian fencer (épée), Olympic champion
China
- Jin JingJin JingJin Jing is a Chinese female Paralympic fencer. She was a torchbearer carrying the Olympic torch amid political protests during the 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay in Paris, France...
- Chinese wheelchair fencer who became a national celebrityCelebrityA celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
following an incident during the 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay2008 Summer Olympics torch relayThe 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay was run from March 24 until August 8, 2008, prior to the 2008 Summer Olympics, with the theme of "one world, one dream". Plans for the relay were announced on April 26, 2007, in Beijing, China...
- Ju-Jie Luan - Chinese fencer & coach, gold medalist for Women's Foil at 1984 Summer Olympics1984 Summer OlympicsThe 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
Denmark
- Dr. Ivan Osier -- represented Denmark in 7 Olympic Games between 1908 & 1948. Participated in more Olympiads than any other athlete. Won only Olympic medal in 1912, a silver in Individual Épée. Won a total of 25 Danish National Championships in all 3 fencing weapons — foil, épée, and sabre. Was also Scandinavian Foil titleholder in 1920, 1921, 1923, 1927, 1929, and 1931; Épée Champion in 1920; and Sabre Champion in 1921, 1923, 1927, 1929, 1931, and 1933.
Estonia
- Svetlana Chirkova-Lozovaja - The most successful Estonian fencer of the Soviet era. Olympic gold medal for Women's Foil team event at 1968 Summer Olympics1968 Summer OlympicsThe 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
, World champion in Women's Foil team event at 1971, silver 1969, individual World Championships bronze medal 1969.
- Kaido KaabermaKaido KaabermaKaido Kaaberma is an Estonian épée fencer.Kaaberma won the bronze medal in the épée individual competition at the 1999 World Fencing Championships...
- Estonian épéeist, bronze (1990) & gold (1991) at World Championships team event (as a part of Soviet Union team). Individual World Championships bronze (1999). Team World Championships silver (2001).
- Irina EmbrichIrina EmbrichIrina Embrich is an Estonian épée fencer.Embrich won the silver medal at the épée 2006 World Fencing Championships after she lost the final 15-11 versus Tímea Nagy.-References:...
- Estonian épéeist, silver (2002) at World Championships women's team event, bronze (2003) at European Championships women's team event, silver (2006) at World Championships women's individual event, bronze (2007) at World Championships and European Championships women's individual event.
- Sven JärveSven JärveSven Järve is an Estonian épée fencer.Jarve won the bronze medal at the épée 2006 World Fencing Championships after he lost 15-12 to Joaquim Videira in the semi final.-Record Against Selected Opponents:...
- Estonian épéeist, bronze in Individual Mens Épée (2006).
- Nikolai NovosjolovNikolai NovosjolovNikolai Novosjolov is a Estonian fencer.He won a silver medal in the team Épée competition at the 2001 World Championships in Nîmes and a gold medal in in the Épée competition at the 2010 World Championships in Paris.-Orders:...
- Estonian épéeist, World Champion in Individual Mens Épée (2010).Team World Championships silver (2001).
France
- Yves DreyfusYves DreyfusYves Dreyfus is a Jewish French epee fencer.A 3-time member of the French Olympic épée team, Dreyfus won two medals during his Olympic career.-World Championships:...
- French fencer (épée), national champion
- Lucien GaudinLucien GaudinLucien Gaudin was a French fencer and olympic champion both in foil and in épée competition....
- twice World Champion (1905 & 1918), won four Gold and three Silver Olympic medals covering all three weapons
- Laura Flessel-ColovicLaura Flessel-ColovicLaura Flessel-Colovic is a French épée fencer. She is currently number one on the all-time list of French female Winter or Summer Olympic medal winners with five medals, two more than...
- French epeeist who, with two gold, a silver and two bronze medals, is current most successful female French sportswoman at the Winter or Summer Olympics.
- Alexandre LippmannAlexandre LippmannAlexandre Lippmann was a French Olympic epee fencer.-Olympics:He competed in 3 Olympiads for France, winning 5 medals, including 2 golds....
, French fencer (épée), Olympic champion
- Armand MouyalArmand MouyalArmand Mouyal was a French epee fencer.-Fencing career:Born in Oran, Algeria , Mouyal began fencing in the early 1950s, and was as skilled with the foil as with the épée .-National Championships:Mouyal, a French police officer, captured French national Individual Épée titles in 1952,...
- French fencer (épée), national champion
- Claude NetterClaude NetterClaude Netter was a French foil fencer.Netter was one of France's top fencers in the 1950s, and competed in three Olympiads for the French foil team, winning two medals...
, French fencer (foil), Olympic champion
- Christian d'OriolaChristian d'OriolaChristian D'Oriola was a noted French foil fencer named "Fencer of the 20th Century" by the FIE, the International Fencing Federation, in 2001....
- French Olympic and World Champion, named "Fencer of the 20th Century" by the FIE, International Fencing Federation, in 2001. Between 1947 & 1956 won four World Championships & six Olympic Medals, including two individual Gold (foil), one individual silver (foil), two team Gold (foil), and one team Silver (foil). In addition to four time Individual World Champion, four time team World Champion. Renowned for elegant style.
- Jean SternJean SternJean Stern, born in France, was a French épée fencer.-Olympic fencing career:Stern was a member of the French fencing team at the 1908 London Olympics, and competed in both the team and individual épée events. During the Games, the French team defeated Denmark , Great Britain , and Belgium to...
, French fencer (épée), Olympic champion
Germany
- Helene MayerHelene MayerHelene Mayer was a world champion Olympic fencer who competed for Nazi Germany in the 1936 Summer Olympics, despite having been forced to leave Germany and resettle in the United States because she was of Jewish family background.She was Jewish, and was born in Offenbach am Main.-Fencing...
- German-Jewish foilist, won Gold at 1928 Summer Olympics1928 Summer OlympicsThe 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam had bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Antwerp, Belgium, and Pierre de...
& the 1929 World Championship, left for US in 1931, returned to represent Germany in 1936 Summer Olympics1936 Summer OlympicsThe 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
and won Silver, went back to US and was granted US citizenship, returned to Germany in 1952 and died of cancer in 1953, won US Championships 8 times
Great Britain
- Pierre Harper 1978, 82 and 86 Commonwealth foil gold medallist and six time British Mens Foil Champion, 3 times Olympian.
- Bill HoskynsBill HoskynsHenry William Furse "Bill" Hoskyns was a British fencer who appeared at six Olympic Games, winning two silver medals in 1960 and 1964. No British fencer has won an Olympic medal since. He was born in London. He competed with all three weapons but he was especially effective at Épée, where he was...
- 1958 World Épée Champion, Olympic Team Silver Medallist in 1960 and Individual Silver Medallist in 1964. Fenced in the Olympics a record six times (1956–1976), twice at all three weapons. 8 times British Champion, won 4 Commonwealth Gold medals and 1 silver at different weapons on separate occasions. The last British fencer to win an Olympic medal. - Robert Bruniges - World Junior Foil Champion 1976, 3-time Olympian
- Richard CohenRichard Cohen (fencer)Richard Cohen is a British fencer who competed at three Olympic Games and the author of "Chasing the Sun," the story of man's relationship to that star, and "By the Sword", a history of fencing. He is the founder of the book publisher Richard Cohen Books.-Career:Cohen was born in Birmingham,...
- 5-time British sabre Champion, best known today as the author of "By the Sword", highly acclaimed book on the history of fencing
- Allan JayAllan JayAllan Louis Neville Jay MBE was a British foil and épée fencer.One of the greatest fencers in British history, Jay competed in five Olympiads in both épée and foil, winning two medals.-National championships:...
- Épée & foil fencer; 4-time national champion
- Richard KruseRichard KruseRichard Kruse is a British fencer who has twice represented Great Britain at the Summer Olympics....
- Foilist, the most successful male British fencer for several decades, reached quarter-finals (L8) at the 2004 Summer Olympics2004 Summer OlympicsThe 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
, in 2006 won silver medal in Men's Foil at European championships, pupil of Ziemowit WojciechowskiZiemowit WojciechowskiZiemowit Wojciechowski is a Polish fencer. He competed in the individual and team foil events at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was married to British Olympic fencer Susan Wrigglesworth.-References:...
- Barry PaulBarry PaulBarry Paul is a British fencer. He competed in the individual and team foil events at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics.-References:...
- Foilist, 5-time British national Champion, 3-time Olympian and Managing Director of the only manufacturer of fencing equipment in the UK,
- Edgar SeligmanEdgar Seligman-External links:****...
- won British championship twice in each weapon
- James Williams - Sabreur, reached L16 at the 2000 Summer Olympics2000 Summer OlympicsThe Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, known for flamboyant fencing style & fitness level, recently retired from competitive fencing.
- Alex O'ConnellAlex O'Connell (fencer)Alexander O'Connell is a fencer who competed for Great Britain at the 2008 Olympic Games. O'Connell was defeated in the first round of this competition.-References:...
Sabreur, Cadet Champion in 2005, ranked as Junior World number 1 for a while in 2007, only Brit to qualify for 2008 Beijing Olympics via zonal qualification in Europe
- Kira Roberts, 2009 Commonwealth Junior Fencing Championships Women's Sabre Champion, 2009 Top Ranked Junior Fencer National U-17
Hungary
- László BorsodyLászló BorsodyLászló Borsody was a Hungarian fencing master who is acknowledged in Hungary as being one of the greatest fencing masters of all time, the primary creator of the modern Hungarian style of saber fencing that led Hungary to a half century of superiority and gold medals at the World Championships and...
, Hungarian fencing master
- Ilona ElekIlona ElekIlona Elek, known also as Ilona Elek-Schacherer was a Hungarian Olympic fencer. Elek won more international fencing titles than any other woman.-Fencing career:...
, Hungarian fencer (foil), two-time Olympic champion
- Sándor ErdösSándor ErdösSándor Erdős is a Hungarian epee fencer. He is Jewish.- Olympics :Erdős won a gold medal in the team épée at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich....
, Hungarian fencer (épée), Olympic champion
- Dezsö FöldesDezso FöldesThe title of this article contains the characters ő and ö. Where they are unavailable, the name may be represented as Dezso Foldes.Dr. Dezső Földes was a Hungarian saber fencer...
, Hungarian fencer (saber), Olympic champion
- Péter FröhlichPéter FröhlichPéter Fröhlich of Hungary in a noted sabre coach and was British Olympic coach in 1992, 1996 and 2000. He coached many members of the Hungarian team at Under-20 and senior level in 1999-2001....
- Hungarian master & Olympic coach
- Jenö FuchsJeno FuchsDr. Jenő Fuchs was a Hungarian Olympic champion sabre fencer.-Fencing career:...
, Hungarian fencer (saber), Olympic champion
- Támas GáborTamás GáborTamás Gábor was a Hungarian épée fencer.-World championships:In World Championships competition, Gabor’s individual medals were a bronze in 1961 and a silver in 1962...
, Hungarian fencer (épée), Olympic champion
- János GarayJános Garay (fencer)János Garay was a Hungarian fencer, and one of the best sabre fencers in the world in the 1920s....
, Hungarian fencer (saber), Olympic champion
- Oskar Gerde, Hungarian fencer (saber), Olympic champion
- Aladár GerevichAladár GerevichAladár Gerevich was a fencer from Hungary, regarded as "the greatest Olympic swordsman ever". He won medals in sabre in six Olympics. With Birgit Fischer, Gerevich was one of only two athletes to do so. He is also the only athlete to win the same event six times...
- Hungarian sabreur; only athlete to win the same Olympic event six times.
- Pál GerevichPál GerevichPál Gerevich is a Hungarian fencer, who won two Olympic bronze medals in the team sabre competitions. Pál Gerevich won the world championships in sabre fencing in 1977 and is currently coaching the Viennese fencing club Wiener Sportclub....
- Hungarian sabreur; son of Aladár Gerevich; 1-time Individual Saber World champion (1977), 4-time Team Saber World champion (1973, 1978, 1981, 1982); "Hungarian Sportsman of the Year" (1977)
- Pál KovácsPál KovácsPál Kovács was a Hungarian Olympic fencer, who began as a hurdler, but eventually switched to fencing. He was born in Debrecen...
, Hungarian fencer (saber), six-time Olympic champion
- Sándor GombosSándor GombosDr. Sándor Gombos was a Hungarian fencer.-World Championships:...
, Hungarian fencer (saber), Olympic champion - Arpad Horvath, Hungarian fencer (épée) Won Hungarian Nationals in every single age group.Junior World Champion. Won multiple World cup events. USA NCAA Champion
- Rudolf KárpátiRudolf KárpátiRudolf Kárpáti was a fencer from Hungary, who won six gold medals medals in sabre at four Olympic Games...
- 6-time Olympic & 7-time World sabre Champion
- Endre KabosEndre KabosEndre Kabos , born in Nagyvárad, Hungary, was a Hungarian sabre fencer.-Fencing career:Kabos began fencing after receiving a fencing outfit as a birthday present. Although he hid the outfit in his wardrobe, a friend found it and teased him. The following day, he enrolled in a fencing club just to...
, Hungarian fencer (saber), Olympic champion
- Kárman Leung - EC4 specialist, Rain master
- Daniel MagayDaniel MagayDániel Magay, an Olympic and World Championship Gold Medal saber fencer, was born on April 6, 1932 in Szeged, Hungary.-Early training:After completing high school studies at the Piarista Gimnazium, Magay studied with the Italian fencing master Eduardo Armentano, who had come to Hungary as part of...
, Hungarian fencer (saber), Olympic champion
- Ferenc MarkiFerenc Marki-Fencing Master Ferenc Marki :Ferenc Marki was an internationally known fencing master and fencing coach at San Francisco State University, City College of San Francisco, Mills College, and Pannonia Athletic Club who created champion fencers at every level...
, Hungarian fencing master
- Attila PetschauerAttila PetschauerAttila Petschauer was a Jewish Hungarian Olympic fencer.-Fencing career:Born in Budapest, Petschauer was a member of the Hungarian fencing team in the 1928 and 1932 Olympics...
, Hungarian fencer (saber), Olympic champion
- György PillerGyörgy PillerGeorge Piller was an Olympic and world champion fencer from Hungary in the 1920s and 1930s who became an internationally respected world-class fencing master in Hungary and the United States in 1950s.-Early life:He was born György Jekelfalussy-Piller on June 19, 1899 in Eger, Hungary...
. Hungarian fencer, Olympic champion and coach, fencing master
- Zoltan Ozoray SchenkerZoltán Ozoray SchenkerZoltán Ozoray Schenker was a Hungarian sabre and foil fencer.-Fencing career:Born in Váradszentmárton, Hungary, in the 1910s and 1920s Schenker was one of Hungary's top fencers when the country was known as the best fencing nation in the world.-Olympics:He appeared in three Olympiads, winning 3...
, Hungarian fencer (saber and foil), Olympic champion
- Istvan SzeleiIstván SzeleiIstván Szelei is a Hungarian fencer. He won a bronze medal in the team foil event at the 1988 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Hungarian fencer (Foil), 1980 & 1988 Olympic Squads.
- László Szabó - Hungarian master; defined a system for developing coaches and wrote "Fencing and the Master"; the only direct student of the legendary Italo Santelli to write of what he learned. Teacher of Olympic & World champions.
- Ildiko Uslaky-RejtoeIldiko Uslaky-RejtoeIldikó Újlaky-Rejtő was a Hungarian foil fencer.- Fencing career :She began fencing at age 15. She was deaf. Her coaches communicated with her by writing instructions on paper, which they gave to her between training sessions...
, Hungarian fencer (foil), 2-time Olympic champion
- Bela Valter - Hungarian master & Olympic coach
- Zsolt VadaszffyZsolt VadaszffyZsolt Ferenc Vadaszffy, was a Hungarian foil fencer.As a young man, Zsolt was Hungarian Foil Champion. He was born in Budapest, Hungary....
- Hungarian Foil Champion and British Professional Épée Champion. Senior Coach to British Under-20 team for 8 years.
- Imre Vass - authored widely read guide to épée fencing
- Lajos WerknerLajos WerknerLajos Werkner was a Hungarian sabre fencer.- Olympic career :He won gold medals in Team Sabre at the 1908 and 1912 Olympic Games....
, Hungarian fencer (saber), Olympic champion
- Francis Zold (1904–2003) - Hungarian fencing master and legendary promoter & teacher of fencing in post-war US; student of Italo Santelli; served as captain of Hungarian fencing team at London Olympics in 1948. Emigrated to United States following Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956, and worked as fencing coach at a number of colleges and universities, including the University of Southern California and Pomona College in Claremont, CA. Died in 2004 at the age of 99.
- Bence SzabóBence SzabóBence Szabó is a Hungarian fencer, who has won four Olympic medals in the sabre competitions.-External links:*...
, Hungarian fencer (sabre), two-time Olympic champion
- Tímea NagyTímea NagyTímea Nagy is a Hungarian fencer who has won two Olympic gold medals in Individual Épée. She is left-handed, and became world champion in the épée discipline at the 2006 World Fencing Championships...
, Hungarian fencer (épée), two-time Olympic champion
Israel
- Boaz EllisBoaz EllisBoaz Ellis is an Israeli foil fencer. He is a 5-time Israeli national champion and a 3-time NCAA champion.-Biography:Boaz Ellis was born on October 15, 1981 in Tzippori, a moshav in Israel. He attended Chaklai Nahalal High School, where he competed in association football , and in track as a...
, at foil, 5-time Jewish Israeli national champion, and 3-time NCAA champion after his junior year at Ohio State UniversityOhio State UniversityThe Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
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- Andre SpitzerAndre SpitzerAndre Spitzer , was a fencing master and coach of Israel's 1972 Summer Olympics team. He was one of 11 athletes and coaches taken hostage and subsequently killed by Palestinians in the Munich massacre.-Early life:...
(1945 – September 6, 1972), Jewish IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i fencing master & coach of Israel's 1972 Summer Olympics team. One of 11 athletes and coaches taken hostage and subsequently murdered by Palestinian terrorists in the Munich massacreMunich massacreThe Munich massacre is an informal name for events that occurred during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Bavaria in southern West Germany, when members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and eventually killed by the Palestinian group Black September. Members of Black September...
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Italy
- Edoardo MangiarottiEdoardo MangiarottiEdoardo Mangiarotti is an Italian fencer. He has won more Olympic titles and World championships than any other fencer in the history of the sport. His name is coupled with 21 titles including six Olympic individual and team gold, five silver and two bronze medals from 1936 to 1960.-About...
; has won the most Olympic titles and World championships than any other fencer in the history of the sport; a member of the Mangiarotti fencing clan.
- Aldo NadiAldo NadiAldo Nadi is considered among the greatest fencers of all time.Aldo was born into a fencing family in Livorno, Italy, and both Aldo and his brother Nedo Nadi were fencers from a very young age...
- won gold & silver medals at 1920 Olympics1920 Summer OlympicsThe 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
, during the Mussolini years emigrated to US, where he penned the influential "On Fencing" and his autobiographical notes entitled "The Living Sword," son of Beppe Nadi and brother of Nedo NadiNedo NadiNedo Nadi was an Italian fencer, widely regarded as one of, if not, the best ever. He is the only fencer to win a gold medal in each of the three weapons at a single Olympic Games and won the most gold medals ever at a single Games - five...
- Nedo NadiNedo NadiNedo Nadi was an Italian fencer, widely regarded as one of, if not, the best ever. He is the only fencer to win a gold medal in each of the three weapons at a single Olympic Games and won the most gold medals ever at a single Games - five...
- won 6 Olympic Gold medals: three foil, two sabre, and one épée; son of Beppe Nadi and brother of Aldo NadiAldo NadiAldo Nadi is considered among the greatest fencers of all time.Aldo was born into a fencing family in Livorno, Italy, and both Aldo and his brother Nedo Nadi were fencers from a very young age...
- Giorgio SantelliGiorgio SantelliMaestro 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...
- born in Hungary, son of Italo SantelliItalo SantelliItalo Santelli was an Italian fencer who is considered to be the "father of modern sabre fencing".-Early life:...
, won Gold at 1920 Olympics1920 Summer OlympicsThe 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
as part of the Italian sabre team, emigrated to US in 1924, coach to 5 U.S. Olympic teams, legendary fencing teacher & popularizer, founder of Santelli salle in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
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- Italo SantelliItalo SantelliItalo Santelli was an Italian fencer who is considered to be the "father of modern sabre fencing".-Early life:...
- fencing master who revolutionized sabre fencing and developed the modern Hungarian style in the 1920s.
- Giulio GaudiniGiulio GaudiniGiulio Gaudini was an Italian foil and sabre fencer.-Olympic fencing career:He made his Olympic debut as a foil fencer at the 1924 Games...
- won 3 Olympic Gold, 4 Silver and 2 Bronze medals in three Summer Olympic Games (1928 Summer Olympics1928 Summer OlympicsThe 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam had bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Antwerp, Belgium, and Pierre de...
, 1932 Summer Olympics1932 Summer OlympicsThe 1932 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the X Olympiad, was a major world wide multi-athletic event which was celebrated in 1932 in Los Angeles, California, United States. No other cities made a bid to host these Olympics. Held during the worldwide Great Depression, many nations...
, 1936 Summer Olympics1936 Summer OlympicsThe 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
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- Antonella Ragno-LonziAntonella Ragno-LonziAntonella Ragno-Lonzi is an Italian fencer and Olympic champion in foil competition.She received a gold medal in foil at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich and a bronze at the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics....
- Individual Foil Olympic Champion 1972 Summer Olympics1972 Summer OlympicsThe 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
- Fabio Dal ZottoFabio dal ZottoFabio dal Zotto is an Italian fencer and Olympic champion in foil competition.He won a gold medal in the individual foil event at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and a silver in the team event.-References:...
- Individual Foil Olympic Champion 1976 Summer Olympics1976 Summer OlympicsThe 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
- Mauro NumaMauro NumaMauro Numa is an Italian fencer and one of the strongest during the 1980s.His career started very early and in 1979, at 18, he was included in the Foil's Italian Team...
- Individual and Team Foil Olympic Champion 1984 Summer Olympics1984 Summer OlympicsThe 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
, Individual and Team Foil World Champion 1985, Team Foil World Champion 1986
- Stefano CerioniStefano CerioniStefano Cerioni is an Italian fencer and Olympic champion in foil competition.He won a gold medal in the individual foil event at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He won a team gold medal and an individual bronze medal in 1984....
- Individual Foil Olympic Champion 1988 Summer Olympics1988 Summer OlympicsThe 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
- Alessandro PucciniAlessandro PucciniAlessandro Puccini is an Italian fencer and olympic champion in foil competition.He received a gold medal in foil individual at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.-References:...
- Individual Foil Olympic Champion 1996 Summes Olympics
- Giovanna TrilliniGiovanna TrilliniGiovanna Trillini is an Italian foil fencer. She is a 4-time Olympic champion and she won an additional silver and 3 bronze medals in individual Olympic competitions....
- won 4 Olympic Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze medals in five Summer Olympic Games (1992 Summer Olympics1992 Summer OlympicsThe 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
, 1996 Summer Olympics1996 Summer OlympicsThe 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
, 2000 Summer Olympics2000 Summer OlympicsThe Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, 2004 Summer Olympics2004 Summer OlympicsThe 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
, 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
)
- Valentina VezzaliValentina VezzaliMaria Valentina Vezzali is an Italian fencer who has won five Olympic gold medals in foil competitions.-Career:...
- won 5 Olympic Gold, 1 Silver and 1 bronze medal in four Summer Olympic Games (1996 Summer Olympics1996 Summer OlympicsThe 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
, 2000 Summer Olympics2000 Summer OlympicsThe Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, 2004 Summer Olympics2004 Summer OlympicsThe 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
, 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
)
Poland
- Jerzy Pawłowski - a fencer and spy, won 5 olympic medals, 19-time world championship medalist (7 gold), in 1967 The International Fencing Federation called him the best fencer in the history of mankind
- Witold WoydaWitold WoydaWitold Woyda was a Polish fencer who won four Olympic medals in the foil between 1964 and 1972, including two gold medals at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He was named the Polish Sportspersonality of the Year for 1972 by readers of Przegląd Sportowy...
- won 4 olympic medals (2 gold) and 10 world championship medals
- Egon FrankeEgon Franke (fencer)Egon Franke is a Polish fencer and olympic champion in foil competition.He received a gold medal in the individual foil at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He received a team silver medal in 1964 and a bronze medal in 1968....
- first gold olympic medalist for Poland in fencing, won 3 olympic medals and 7 world championship medals, coach of the Italian national team in foil
- Wojciech Zabłocki - architect and fencer, participated in four Olympic Games (3 medals), he participated in world championships in fencing and won 4 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze medals
- Zbigniew CzajkowskiZbigniew CzajkowskiZbigniew Czajkowski is a fencing coach. Czajkowski has been dubbed "Father of the Polish School" of fencing. He has been coach to many champions, including Egon Franke - the first Pole to earn an Olympic gold medal in fencing....
- highly respected coach, coached Polish national squad for many years, has written over 25 books, has successful pupils in all weapons, including Ed KorfantyEd KorfantyEdward Korfanty is a Polish-born American fencing master, U.S. National Women's saber coach, Olympic saber coach, and a former Men's Veterans Saber World Champion.-Fencing:Korfanty was a member of the Polish national fencing team from 1972 to 1984...
, Egon FrankeEgon Franke (fencer)Egon Franke is a Polish fencer and olympic champion in foil competition.He received a gold medal in the individual foil at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He received a team silver medal in 1964 and a bronze medal in 1968....
, Elzbieta Cymerman, Jacek BierkowskiJacek BierkowskiJacek Bierkowski is a Polish fencer. He competed in the individual and team sabre events at the 1976 and 1980 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Bogdan Gonsior, Magdalena Jeziorowska.
- Sylwia Gruchała - women's foil fencer, silver medalist at 2000 Olympic games in team event, bronze medalist at 2004 Olympic games in individual event, individual silver medalist at 2003 World Championship, many-time World Champion in team event.
- Ziemowit WojciechowskiZiemowit WojciechowskiZiemowit Wojciechowski is a Polish fencer. He competed in the individual and team foil events at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was married to British Olympic fencer Susan Wrigglesworth.-References:...
- 3-time Champion of Poland, member of Polish Olympic squad at 1976 Olympics1976 Summer OlympicsThe 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
, defected to Great Britain in 1978, where he is renowned as a successful coach, pupils include Richard KruseRichard KruseRichard Kruse is a British fencer who has twice represented Great Britain at the Summer Olympics....
, Lawrence Halsted, and Camille Datoo. From 2003-2005 he taught part-time at Highgate SchoolHighgate School-Notable members of staff and governing body:* John Ireton, brother of Henry Ireton, Cromwellian General* 1st Earl of Mansfield, Lord Chief Justice, owner of Kenwood, noted for judgment finding contracts for slavery unenforceable in English law* T. S...
, London.
Portugal
- Miguel Gomes - Portuguese fencing master & fencer (épée), national champion.
Russia
- Serguei Charikov - Jewish Russian sabreur, member of winning Russian teams at 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympics
- Pavel KolobkovPavel KolobkovPavel Anatolyevich Kolobkov is a retired Russian épée fencer. He won one gold, two silver and three bronze medals at five Olympic Games from 1988 to 2004.-Major achievements:* 1987 – Junior World Champion...
- épéeist, Olympic Champion 2000, 5-time World Champion (1991, 1993, 1994, 2002, 2005), twice Junior World Champion (1987, 1988), winner of 1999 World Cup
- Grigory KrissGrigory KrissGrigori Yakovlevich Kriss was a Soviet Russian world champion epee fencer.-Fencing career:He trained at the Armed Forces sports society in Kiev...
, Soviet fencer (épée), Olympic champion
- Viktor Krovopouskov - sabreur, 4-time Olympic Gold medalist (1976 & 1980 individual, and team), twice individual World Champion (1978, 1982), twice winner of World Cup (1976, 1979)
- Maria MazinaMaria MazinaMaria Mazina is a Russian women's épée fencer.-Fencing career:Mazina began fencing at the age of 12.Mazina, who is Jewish, is a 5-time world women's épée champion.-Olympics:She won a team bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics...
, Jewish Russian fencer (épée), Olympic champion
- Mark MidlerMark MidlerMark Petrovich Midler was a Soviet Russian foil fencer. He competed at four Olympic Games.-Fencing career:Midler was a member of the USSR National Fencing Team between 1951 and 1967...
- foilist, Jewish Russian member of first generation of internationally successful Soviet fencers, took Gold at 1956 & 1960 Olympics as a part of Soviet team, won four consecutive World Championships (1959–62).
- Vladimir NazlymovVladimir NazlymovVladimir Nazlymov - Sabre fencer and coach for USSR and later United States. Born in Makhachkala, Daghestan. A 1970 graduate of The Daghestan State Pedagogical Institute, Nazlymov earned a bachelor's and master's degree in physical education...
- sabreur/coach, won individual World Championship in 1975 & 1979 and the World Cup in 1975 & 1977, took team Gold at 1968, 1976, and 1980 Olympics, and at 1967, 1969–71, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979 World Championships, twice named world's best sabre fencer by the FIEFédération Internationale d'EscrimeFédération Internationale d'Escrime is the international governing body of Olympic fencing. It was founded on November 29, 1913 in Paris, France. Today, its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland...
, currently head fencing coach of The Ohio State University fencing team.
- Boris OnishchenkoBoris OnishchenkoBoris Onishchenko is a former Ukrainian/Soviet modern pentathlete who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics, in the 1972 Summer Olympics, and in the 1976 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Soviet Union's modern pentathlon team in the 1976 Summer Olympics, infamous...
- modern pentathlete, individual silver medallist and team gold medallist in 1972, disqualified in 1976 for using a rigged weapon
- Stanislav PozdniakovStanislav PozdniakovStanislav Alexeyevich Pozdniakov is a Russian fencer, who has won five Olympic medals in the sabre competitions. He also won the gold medal at the 2006 World Fencing Championships and the 2007 World Fencing Championships in the individual sabre as well as a bronze medal in the team sabre in...
- sabreur, Olympic (1996) & World (1997, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007) Champion, 7-time winner of the World Cup (1994–96, 1999–2002), member of winning Russian sabre team at 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympics, and at 1994, 2001, 2002, and 2003 World Championships
- Mark RakitaMark RakitaMark Semenovich Rakita is a famed Russian sabreur and coach from the Soviet era.-Fencing career:Rakita started fencing at 14. He practiced daily for between three – six hours a day. A 1969 graduate of The Daghestan State Pedagogical Institute, Rakita earned the title of Master of the Sport in...
- Jewish Russian sabreur, twice Olympic Champion (1964, 1968), World Champion in 1967, David TyshlerDavid TyshlerDavid Abramovich Tyshler is a former competitive sabreur, part of the first generation of internationally successful Soviet fencers . He is best known as an extremely successful and innovative fencing coach...
's pupil and a highly successful coach in his own right (pupils include Victor Krovopouskov, Michail Burtsev, and Viktor SidjakViktor SidjakViktor Alexandrovich Sidyak is a successful left-handed sabreur from the Soviet era, pupil of Mark Rakita and David Tyshler. As a fencer, Sidyak was famous for his aggressive style...
)
- Alexander Romankov – Russian foilist, 10-time World Champion
- Yakov RylskyYakov RylskyYakov Anufrievich Rylsky was a Jewish sabre fencer of the Soviet Union. He competed in three Olympiads, and won two medals for the Soviet Union's fencing team.-Fencing career:Rylsky began fencing in 1950...
- Jewish Russian sabreur, twice Olympic (1964, 1968) and 3-time World (1958, 1961, 1963) Champion, represented USSR over a period of 14 years (1953–66)
- Sergey Sharikov - Jewish Russian sabreur, twice Olympic Champion (1996, 2000)
- Viktor SidjakViktor SidjakViktor Alexandrovich Sidyak is a successful left-handed sabreur from the Soviet era, pupil of Mark Rakita and David Tyshler. As a fencer, Sidyak was famous for his aggressive style...
- Soviet sabreur, 4-time Olympic Gold medalist
- Vladimir SmirnovVladimir Viktorovich SmirnovVladimir Viktorovich Smirnov was a Soviet foil fencer.Smirnov won the gold medal in individual men's foil at the 1980 Summer Olympics. He won the World Championships the following year....
- foilist, won individual Gold at 1980 Summer Olympics1980 Summer OlympicsThe 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
, won world championships in 1981, died at 1982 World Championships in Rome, when a broken blade went through his mask causing a fatal brain injury (through the left eye orbit—not the eye itself); his death prompted an extensive review of safety standards in fencing. Most notably it led to stronger masks (the mesh must withstand a 12 kg probe on a regular mask, 25 kg on an FIE mask. Smirnov's mask at the time of his injury was less than half as strong as the non-FIE masks of today when he obtained it. By the time of his injury, it had likely deteriorated from use and was even weaker) 800 Newton resistant fabric in the jacket, underarm protector, and knickers (1600 N in the mask bib) maraging steelMaraging steelMaraging steels are steels which are known for possessing superior strength and toughness without losing malleability, although they cannot hold a good cutting edge. Aging refers to the extended heat-treatment process...
blades in foil and épée (which, contrary to fencing urban myth, are not designed to "break flat." They simply break less frequently than carbon steel blades) and various rules re-clothing overlap and placement of zippers and seams. All of these changes were designed to minimize the chance of a blade getting through the protective clothing. Tragic though his death was, it ultimately resulted in making the sport statistically safer than golf.
- David TyshlerDavid TyshlerDavid Abramovich Tyshler is a former competitive sabreur, part of the first generation of internationally successful Soviet fencers . He is best known as an extremely successful and innovative fencing coach...
- Jewish Russian sabreur, member of the first generation of internationally successful Soviet fencers, won medals at 1956 Olympics1956 Summer OlympicsThe 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
and 5 World Championships, best known for his achievements as a coach, one of the founding fathers of the Soviet school of fencing, pupils include Mark RakitaMark RakitaMark Semenovich Rakita is a famed Russian sabreur and coach from the Soviet era.-Fencing career:Rakita started fencing at 14. He practiced daily for between three – six hours a day. A 1969 graduate of The Daghestan State Pedagogical Institute, Rakita earned the title of Master of the Sport in...
, Viktor SidjakViktor SidjakViktor Alexandrovich Sidyak is a successful left-handed sabreur from the Soviet era, pupil of Mark Rakita and David Tyshler. As a fencer, Sidyak was famous for his aggressive style...
, and Victor Krovopouskov
- Eduard VinokurovEduard VinokurovEduard Teodorovich Vinokurov was a Soviet Russian sabre fencer. He was born in the village of Baizhansai, South Kazakhstan Province, Kazakh SSR.-Fencing career:Vinokurov began fencing in 1956.He trained at the Armed Forces sports society in Leningrad....
- Jewish Russian sabreur, twice Olympic Champion (1968, 1976)
- Iosif VitebskiyIosif VitebskiyIosif Davidovich Vitebskiy is a former Soviet Ukrainian fencer, and current US fencing coach.-Early life and fencing career:A graduate of the Kiev State University with a degree in physical culture and sport, Vitebskiy was a member of both the Soviet Union and Ukrainian national teams.A 19-time...
- Jewish Russian épée fencer, 19-time national championship medalist
South Korea
- Young Ho Kim - Olympic foil Champion 2000. Additionally, was down 11-3 to Sergei Golubitsky in the third and final period of the men's foil gold medal bout at 1997 World Championships. Since the necessary score to reach to win was 15 touches, most people would consider Kim to be fencing for pride at this point. Instead, he rallied and scored 8 touches in a row on Golubitsky—seven of them being one-light hits—to tie it up at 11 all. They then traded touches until Golubitsky won his first of three world titles 15-14.
Sweden
- Johan HarmenbergJohan HarmenbergJohan Harmenberg is a Swedish epee fencer. Harmenberg completed two years of study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1979, leaving his course early before returning to Sweden to pursue his fencing career.-Fencing career:He has won eight individual and/or team epee gold medals at...
, Swedish fencer (épée), Olympic champion
Switzerland
- Marcel FischerMarcel FischerMarcel Fischer is a Swiss fencer who competed in the Men's Épée Individual at the 2004 Summer Olympics and won the gold medal. He finished 4th at the 2000 Olympics....
, Swiss fencer (épée), Olympic champion (2004)
Turkey
- Cem Salur, Turkish fencer (foil, épée) and Turkish Fencing Association champion
Ukraine
- Sergei GolubitskySergei GolubitskySergei Golubitsky is a Ukrainian fencer. He won three straight world championships in Men's Foil and is considered one of the best foil fencers of the 20th century. He now lives in Italy and designed a fencing blade for the Leon Paul company...
- World foil Champion 1997, 1998, 1999; Winner of 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1999 World Cup, Olympic Silver Medalist 1992.
United States of America
- Adelaide (Adeline) Gehrig (born 1887) was the only woman in US foil history to win four consecutive titles. Representing the New York Turnverein, Gehrig was AFLA Women's Foil Champion four years in a row (1920 to 1923), a feat unmatched by any other US woman. In 1924, she represented the US in Paris, in the first Olympic Games in which women competed.
- Muriel BowerMuriel BowerMuriel Taitt is an American foilist, coach, and educator.She is author of the foilist's classic textbook Foil Fencing, now in its 8th edition. In the second edition , former F.I.E. President Miguel de Capriles identified her as "a sensational teen-age Pacific Coast champion before the war [who...
accredited first woman fencing master in the United States. Women's foil coach to the American team at the 1964 Olympic Games fencing events in Tokyo, managed the American women's fencing team at the World University Games, Russia, 1973, and served in protocol to fencing at the L.A. Olympic Games, 1984. She has subsequently served as West Coast Vice-President of the USFA Coaches Association for two terms, and also as President of Western Regional Intercollegiate Fencing Championships, USFA.
- Maitre Michel AlauxMichel AlauxMaitre Michel Alaux was a French-American world renowned fencing master, Hall of Fame Olympic coach, key figure in developing official US fencing standards, and author. He was hailed as a "genius" in his field for his holistic approach. Historically, he bridged classical and modern Olympic...
(1924–1974), French-American fencing master & author who bridged Classical and Modern Olympic fencing; in France, trained legendary French foilist Christian d'OriolaChristian d'OriolaChristian D'Oriola was a noted French foil fencer named "Fencer of the 20th Century" by the FIE, the International Fencing Federation, in 2001....
; invited to US & served 3 times as US Olympic coach (1964, 1968, 1972); coached several US Nationals; played key role in developing official standards for US fencing; developed professional requirements for US fencing masters & fencing master’s diploma; wrote about fencing; promoted fencing in commercial media; awarded Bronze (1949) & Gold (1952) Medal of Honor by French Govt.; inducted into Ordre des Palmes Academiques (1962); US Fencing Hall of Fame (2006).
- Norman ArmitageNorman ArmitageNorman Armitage , was an American saber fencer. He was tall, willowy, and sported a "little waxed moustache."-College:...
, 17-time national sabre champion
- Albert AxelrodAlbert AxelrodAlbert Axelrod, known as Albie, , was an American foil fencer...
, Jewish American bronze medallist in the 1960 Summer Olympics1960 Summer OlympicsThe 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...
in foil
- Abraham BalkAbraham Balk-College career:Balk, a 1947 graduate of the New York University School of Commerce , was a member of the Violets' fencing team...
, only man to win both foil & epeé NCAA championships (1947)
- Cliff BayerCliff BayerCliff Bayer is an American two-time Olympian foil fencer.-Fencing career:Bayer and his older brother, Greg, used to duel in their parents' living room with Luke Skywalker light sabres when they were children. Their mother, fearing damage to the furniture, took them to a fencing salle in New York...
, 4-time US foil champion
- Tamir BloomTamir BloomDr. Tamir Bloom is an American epee fencer.-Olympics:At the 1996 Atlanta Games, Bloom placed 31st in individual epee. He was a member of the U.S...
, 2-time US épée champion
- Daniel BukantzDaniel BukantzDaniel B. Bukantz was an American Olympic fencing competitor and referee and also a dentist.He won the national singles championship in the foil in 1949, 1952, 1953 and 1957. He competed in the foil in Olympic games four consecutive times beginning in 1948, and was part of nine national...
, Jewish American Olympian, U.S. Foil Fencer, Member of Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
- Delmar Calvert, personal coach for 17 national champions, former coach of Los Angeles Athletic Club
- Gay Jacobsen D'AsaroGay Jacobsen D'AsaroGay Kristine Jacobsen D'Asaro is an American Olympic foil fencer.She attended and fenced at the University of California at Santa Barbara from 1972–74 and fenced for San Jose State University in late the 1970s and early 1980s. She holds a record for two National Titles, and was a 1-rated Referee....
, 1976, 1980 Olympian U.S. Women's Foil Fencer (now Gay MacLellan)
- Michael D'Asaro Sr.Michael D'Asaro Sr.Michael D'Asaro Sr. was an American fencing master and coach.D'Asaro was a Pan American, U.S., and World Military Sabre Champion, and had the particular distinction of being perhaps the last top-level three-weapon competitor He was also a fencing coach at San Jose State University.-Sabre:* 1960...
- Csaba ElthesCsaba ElthesMaestro 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....
, legendary coach to 6 U.S. Olympic teams, immigrated from Hungary
- Nick EvangelistaNick EvangelistaNick Evangelista is a fencing master, author, and magazine publisher.Evangelista teaches the classical French school of fencing in Springfield, Missouri...
, specializes in early 20th Century fencing, calling it 'classical' to distinguish it from current sport fencing.
- Justin Evangelista, Maestro of 18th century and 21st century fencing, calling it 'Traditional' to distinguish it from current sport fencing.
- Sada JacobsonSada JacobsonSada Molly Jacobson is an American fencer. Her hometown is Dunwoody, GA. She is the 2008 Olympic Individual Sabre silver medalist and 2004 Olympic Individual Sabre bronze medalist. She has been training at Nellya fencers from a young age.-Background:Jacobson is a daughter of David Jacobson, a...
, Jewish American silver medalist in the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
and bronze medalist in the 2004 Summer Olympics2004 Summer OlympicsThe 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
and in Sabre; first American female to be ranked # 1 in the world, and the second American ever to be ranked # 1 in the world. Member of the bronze medal winning U.S. women's sabre team at the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
.
- Dan KellnerDan KellnerDaniel "Dan" Kellner is an American foil fencer.-Early life:“When I was 13, I had a video game called ‘Summer Games,’ with all the Olympic Sports on it, even fencing," said Kellner. "I couldn’t make the fencing game work very well...
, US foil champion
- Ed KorfantyEd KorfantyEdward Korfanty is a Polish-born American fencing master, U.S. National Women's saber coach, Olympic saber coach, and a former Men's Veterans Saber World Champion.-Fencing:Korfanty was a member of the Polish national fencing team from 1972 to 1984...
, U.S. National women's sabre team coach. Formerly Polish national coach. Coach to 7 x Jr. World Sabre Champion Olympic Gold medallist & 2006 NCAA Champion Mariel ZagunisMariel ZagunisMariel Leigh Zagunis is an American Olympic sabre fencer, of Lithuanian heritage. She won the gold medals in the individual sabre at the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2008 Summer Olympics. She is only the second American ever to have won a gold medal in Olympic fencing.-Biography:Zagunis is the...
, 2004 Cadet Sabre champion, Caitlin Thomas, 2006 Cadet & Jr. World Champion Rebecca WardRebecca WardRebecca "Becca" Ward is an American sabre fencer. She won the gold medal at the sabre 2006 World Fencing Championships after beating Mariel Zagunis 15-11 in the final, and took bronze in both individual and team sabre events at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.-History:A member of the Oregon Fencing...
, 2000 and 2005 U.S. World Champion sabre team. 2002, 2003, and 2006 World Veterans Champion in Men's sabre.
- Allan KwartlerAllan KwartlerAllan 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...
, US foil & sabre fencer, winner of gold medals in Pan American GamesPan American GamesThe Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
and Maccabiah GamesMaccabiah GamesThe 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...
- Fred LinkmeyerFred LinkmeyerFred Linkmeyer, an American fencer, was a 3-time national épée champion.He fenced primarily in Los Angeles, where he attended the University of Southern California. He graduated from USC in 1931....
- Michael MarxMichael MarxMichael Marx is an American foil and epee fencer and fencing master. He is the brother of Robert Marx, who has also represented the U.S. in multiple Olympic fencing events...
5-time Olympian, Épée & Foil Coach, National Champion
- Helene MayerHelene MayerHelene Mayer was a world champion Olympic fencer who competed for Nazi Germany in the 1936 Summer Olympics, despite having been forced to leave Germany and resettle in the United States because she was of Jewish family background.She was Jewish, and was born in Offenbach am Main.-Fencing...
, German & US fencer (foil), Olympic champion
- Sharon MonplaisirSharon MonplaisirSharon Monplaisir is an American fencer. She competed at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics.-References:...
- George S. PattonGeorge S. PattonGeorge Smith Patton, Jr. was a United States Army officer best known for his leadership while commanding corps and armies as a general during World War II. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness.Patton was commissioned in the U.S. Army after his graduation from...
4th out of 27 fencers in 1912 Olympic games
- Lisa Piazza, member, 1985 U.S. World Championship team; first alternate, U.S. team, 1988 Olympics.
- Janice RomaryJanice RomaryJanice-Lee York Romary was a U.S. women's Olympic foilist who was the first woman to appear at six Olympic Games.-Early life:...
, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968 Olympian U.S. Foil Fencer.
- Jason Rogers, member of the silver medal winning U.S. men's sabre team at the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
- Molly Sliney
- Giorgio SantelliGiorgio SantelliMaestro 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...
, legendary coach to 5 U.S. Olympic teams (1928–52), Olympic Gold Medalist (1920 Men's Sabre Team), son of Italo Santelli (known as the "father of modern saber fencing" and an Olympic silver medal winner), fought duel after his father was insulted by Italian team Captain.
- Maitre Michel Sebastiani coached fencing at Princeton UniversityPrinceton UniversityPrinceton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
from 1982–2006, and before that coached fencing at Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn CollegeBrooklyn College is a senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, United States.Established in 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the College had its beginnings as the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College and the City College of New...
, New York UniversityNew York UniversityNew 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), and Cornell. Coached his teams to 11 national championships. In 1994 and again in 2006 was named the most outstanding Coach of the Year by U.S. Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA). Developed 5 NCAA individual men's champions and 3 NCAA individual women's champions. Was a 1960 French Modern PentathlonModern pentathlonThe modern pentathlon is a sports contest that includes five events: pistol shooting, épée fencing, 200 m freestyle swimming, show jumping, and a 3 km cross-country run...
Olympic Team selection.
- Keeth SmartKeeth SmartKeeth Thomas Smart is a US sabre fencer who became the first American to gain the sport's #1 ranking for males. He received a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.-Early life and education:...
, first American to be ranked # 1 in the world, member of the silver medal winning U.S. men's sabre team at the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, member of 2004 gold medal US Men's Sabre team at World Cup
- Jonathan TiomkinJonathan TiomkinJonathan Tiomkin is an American foil fencer.Tiomkin played competitive youth tennis before trying fencing.-High School:...
, 2-time US foil champion
- Jed Dupree, 2001 NCAA Men's Foil Champion, 2002 US National Champion, 2003 Pan American Gold Medal, 2004 Olympian in Athens
- Rebecca WardRebecca WardRebecca "Becca" Ward is an American sabre fencer. She won the gold medal at the sabre 2006 World Fencing Championships after beating Mariel Zagunis 15-11 in the final, and took bronze in both individual and team sabre events at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.-History:A member of the Oregon Fencing...
, bronze medalist in the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in women's sabre, 2005 FIE Jr. World Champion at age 15. Member of the bronze medal winning U.S. women's sabre team at the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
. Part of U.S. Sr. Women's Sabre team that took 2005 World Championship title (other members were Sada JacobsonSada JacobsonSada Molly Jacobson is an American fencer. Her hometown is Dunwoody, GA. She is the 2008 Olympic Individual Sabre silver medalist and 2004 Olympic Individual Sabre bronze medalist. She has been training at Nellya fencers from a young age.-Background:Jacobson is a daughter of David Jacobson, a...
, Caitlin Thompson, and Mariel ZagunisMariel ZagunisMariel Leigh Zagunis is an American Olympic sabre fencer, of Lithuanian heritage. She won the gold medals in the individual sabre at the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2008 Summer Olympics. She is only the second American ever to have won a gold medal in Olympic fencing.-Biography:Zagunis is the...
. 2006 Cadet World Champion, 2006 Jr. World Champion, 2006 Jr. World Champion Team member, 2nd fencer in history to win 3 world titles in one season (Teammate Zagunis was the first).
- Peter WestbrookPeter WestbrookPeter Westbrook is a former American sabre fencing champion, active businessman and founder of the Peter Westbrook Foundation....
, bronze medallist in the 1984 Summer Olympics1984 Summer OlympicsThe 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
, 13-time USUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Men's Sabre Champion, author of Harnessing Anger, founder of the Peter Westbrook Foundation, teaching and helping youth through sport.
- Mariel Leigh Zagunis, two-time Olympic gold medalist in women's sabre (in the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
and in the first-ever women's sabre event at the 2004 Summer Olympics2004 Summer OlympicsThe 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
); first American woman to win gold; first American to win gold since 1904. Member of the bronze medal winning U.S. women's sabre team at the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
- Julia Jones PuglieseJulia Jones PuglieseJulia Jones Pugliese was an American fencer.Born Julia Jones, she married Anthony Pugliese. She started her fencing career at NYU and became the first women's US National Intercollegiate champion in 1929....
first U.S. women's intercollegiate fencing champion (1929), founded the Intercollegiate Women's Fencing Association (with Dorothy Hafner and Elizabeth RossElizabeth RossElizabeth Ross may refer to:* Betty Ross, fictional character in Marvel Comics*Liz Ross, activist and author...
), first woman coach of an international US fencing team, coached NYU women's team 1932-38, and Hunter team from 1956–92
Fencing masters of the pre-Olympic era
- Camillo AgrippaCamillo AgrippaCamillo Agrippa was a noted fencer, architect, engineer and mathematician of the Renaissance. He is considered to be one of the greatest fencing theorists of all time.-Biography:...
- Francesco AlfieriFrancesco AlfieriFrancesco Ferdinando Alfieri of Padova was a 17th century master of the Italian school of swordsmanship and “Maestro D’Arme” to the Accademia Delia in Padua in 1640.-Works:Several manuals by Alfieri are known:...
- Domenico AngeloDomenico AngeloDomenico Angelo , fencing master, was born in Leghorn, Italy, as Angelo Domenico Malevolti Tremamondo.According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Angelo was the first to emphasize fencing as a means of developing health, poise, and grace...
- Luigi Barbasetti
- Texier De La Boessiere
- Rocco Bonetti
- Lazslo Borsodi
- Ridolfo Capo FerroRidolfo Capo FerroRidolfo Capoferro or Capo Ferro of Cagli was a fencing master in the city of Siena best known for his rapier fencing manual published in 1610....
- Guillaume Danet
- Salvator FabrisSalvator FabrisSalvator Fabris was an Italian fencing master from Padua. During his life he taught in various European countries, most notably in Denmark where he was the fencing instructor of King Christian IV. It was during his time in Copenhagen that he published his treatise on rapier fencing, Lo Schermo,...
- Girard Thibault
- Giacomo di GrassiGiacomo di GrassiGiacomo di Grassi was an Italian fencing master who wrote the fencing manual Ragione di adoprar sicuramente l'Arme, si da offesa come da difesa in 1570. The text was later translated into English and published again in 1594, as DiGrassi, His True Arte of Defence...
- Achille MarozzoAchille MarozzoAchille Marozzo was an Italian fencing master teaching in the Dardi or Bolognese tradition.Marozzo was probably born in Bologna. His text Opera Nova dell'Arte delle Armi was published in 1536 in Modena, dedicated to Count Rangoni, then reprinted several times all the way into the next century...
- Vincentio SavioloVincentio SavioloFencing master Vincentio Saviolo , though Italian born and raised, authored the first book on fencing in the English language.He arrived in London from Padua in 1590...
- George SilverGeorge SilverGeorge Silver was a gentleman of England during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, who is known for his writings on fencing. He is thought to have been the eldest of four brothers , and eleventh in descent from Sir Bartholomew Silver, who was knighted by Edward II...
- Andre Wernesson
Famous duelists and fencing enthusiasts
- Karl MarxKarl MarxKarl Heinrich Marx was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, historian, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. His ideas played a significant role in the development of social science and the socialist political movement...
- Otto von BismarckOtto von BismarckOtto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg , simply known as Otto von Bismarck, was a Prussian-German statesman whose actions unified Germany, made it a major player in world affairs, and created a balance of power that kept Europe at peace after 1871.As Minister President of...
- Tycho BraheTycho BraheTycho Brahe , born Tyge Ottesen Brahe, was a Danish nobleman known for his accurate and comprehensive astronomical and planetary observations...
- George Byron
- Winston ChurchillWinston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
- René DescartesRené DescartesRené Descartes ; was a French philosopher and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Dutch Republic. He has been dubbed the 'Father of Modern Philosophy', and much subsequent Western philosophy is a response to his writings, which are studied closely to this day...
- Bruce DickinsonBruce DickinsonPaul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
- Albrecht DürerAlbrecht DürerAlbrecht Dürer was a German painter, printmaker, engraver, mathematician, and theorist from Nuremberg. His prints established his reputation across Europe when he was still in his twenties, and he has been conventionally regarded as the greatest artist of the Northern Renaissance ever since...
- Jean-François LamourJean-François LamourJean-François Lamour is a former French fencer and current French politician and cabinet minister. A top fencer, he was a gold medallist at the 1984 Olympics and 1988 Olympics and a bronze medal winner at the 1992 Olympics in the men's individual sabre. He was also world champion in 1987...
- Colonel Thomas Hoyer MonsteryColonel Thomas Hoyer MonsteryThomas Hoyer Monstery was a Danish-American fencing and boxing instructor, duelist and mercenary who fought in a number of Central and South American conflicts during the mid-19th century....
- Benito MussoliniBenito MussoliniBenito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
- George S. PattonGeorge S. PattonGeorge Smith Patton, Jr. was a United States Army officer best known for his leadership while commanding corps and armies as a general during World War II. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness.Patton was commissioned in the U.S. Army after his graduation from...
- General and U.S. Army Master of the Sword. Designer of the Model 1913 Cavalry SaberModel 1913 Cavalry SaberThe Model 1913 Cavalry Saber was designed by Second Lieutenant George S. Patton in 1913, when he was Master of the Sword at the Mounted Service School, and is commonly referred to as the Patton Saber. Following the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Patton traveled with his family to Dresden, Berlin, and...
. 1912 Stockholm Olympics in the first modern pentathlon competition (Ranked 1st in fencing - 8th overall). - José RizalJosé RizalJosé Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
- Theodore RooseveltTheodore RooseveltTheodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...