Born: 1907 (Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary)
Died: 1988
Biography:
Ilona Elek, known also as Ilona Elek-Schacherer (née “Elek; May 17, 1907 – July 24, 1988), was a Hungarian Olympic fencer. She is recognized as one of the greatest female fencers in the history of the sport, with numerous international titles to her name.
Born on May 17, 1907, in Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary, Ilona Elek was the daughter of a Hungarian-Jewish father, Eisler, who converted to Lutheranism in 1939, and a Roman-Catholic mother. She grew up alongside her seven siblings, including Margit Elek, who would also become an Olympic fencer. Unfortunately, tragedy struck early in Ilona’s life as her mother passed away when she was just 11 years old.
Ilona Elek pursued her education at a music school, graduating with a strong foundation in this artistic discipline. However, it was in the world of fencing where she would leave an indelible mark.
Elek’s fencing career coincided with tumultuous times in Hungarian history. During World War II, Hungary aligned itself with Nazi Germany, leading to restrictions on Jewish participation in various activities, including fencing competitions. Consequently, both Ilona Elek and her sister Margit, who was also half-Jewish, were prevented from competing.
Despite these obstacles, Elek managed to compete and achieve remarkable success. Representing Hungary in three Olympiads, Elek won a total of three medals. Her greatest triumph came when she became the first woman to win two Olympic gold medals in the individual foil competition.
In 1936, at the age of 29, Elek participated in the Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Going up against formidable opponents, she emerged victorious in the foil event, making history as the first Hungarian woman to claim an Olympic gold medal. Notably, Elek’s victory carried added significance as she defeated a German fencer with a Jewish father, Helene Mayer. The bronze medal went to Ellen Preis, an Austrian Jew.
The Games were canceled in 1940 and 1944 due to World War II. However, when the Olympics resumed in 1948 in London, England, at the age of 41, Elek repeated her exceptional performance by once again winning the gold medal. This marked the fifth consecutive Olympics where a Jewish woman had clinched the gold medal in the foil event. Ellen Preis once again secured the bronze medal.
In the 1952 Helsinki Games, Elek won the silver medal after performing brilliantly in the final pool. Despite her valiant effort, she fell short of securing the gold medal, losing to American Maxine Mitchell and Italian Irene Camber, who ultimately claimed the top prize.
Over the course of her illustrious career, Ilona Elek amassed numerous accolades. She was a six-time Hungarian foil champion, winning the title in 1946–47, 1949–50, and 1952. Moreover, Elek achieved extraordinary success at the World Championships, clinching the gold medal in women’s foil in 1934, 1935, and 1951. Additionally, she claimed silver in 1937 and 1954 and a bronze in 1955.
Besides her sporting achievements, Ilona Elek was honored with the Robert Feyerick Cup and the Olympic Order. In recognition of her contributions to the sport, she was appointed the honorary President of the International Fencing Federation in 1983.
In her later years, Elek served as a director of a trade company. She passed away on July 24, 1988, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most accomplished and influential female fencers in history.
Awards:
– Olympic gold medals in the individual foil competition (1936, 1948)
– Olympic silver medal (1952)
– Hungarian foil championship titles (1946–47, 1949–50, 1952)
– Gold medals at the World Championships in women’s foil (1934, 1935, 1951)
– Silver medals at the World Championships (1937, 1954)
– Bronze medal at the World Championships (1955)
– Recipient of the Robert Feyerick Cup
– Honorary President of the International Fencing Federation (1983)