Born: 1990
Biography:
Inna Vasilyevna Deriglazova, born on March 10, 1990, is a Russian right-handed foil fencer. She has made a significant impact in the world of fencing, achieving numerous accolades throughout her career. Raised in Kurchatov, Deriglazova began her journey in fencing at the young age of 8 under the guidance of Ildar Mavlyutov.
Despite her small stature as a child, Deriglazova quickly adapted to competing with older athletes. Her determination and raw talent quickly became apparent as she won a bronze medal at the 2006 Cadet World Championships in Taebaek. The following year, she showcased her prowess by clinching gold medals in both the individual and team events at the Cadet World Championships in Novi Sad.
In 2008, Deriglazova reached new heights by becoming the Junior World Champion in Amsterdam. However, her journey took a slight detour as she embarked on a different chapter in her life. Shortly after earning her world title, Deriglazova got married and gave birth to her daughter, Diana. Demonstrating incredible resilience, she resumed training just two weeks after giving birth and secured a silver medal in the Russian national championship a mere two months later.
Deriglazova’s determination and hard work paid off as she emerged victorious in the individual and team events at the Junior World Championships in Baku in 2010. That same year, she made her debut on the senior national team, achieving a bronze medal in the individual and team events at the senior European Championships in Leipzig.
Her breakthrough moment arrived in 2011 when she secured a silver medal at the World Cup in Tauberbischofsheim. However, her path to glory faced a temporary setback as she was eliminated by Korea’s Nam Hyun-hee in the table of 16 at the 2011 World Championships in Catania. Despite this disappointment, Deriglazova continued to strive for excellence.
Deriglazova’s determination and persistence paid off at the 2012 European Championships. She defeated the reigning Olympic silver medalist, Arianna Errigo, in the semifinals and emerged victorious over her teammate Kamilla Gafurzianova, capturing her first senior individual title. Although her individual performance in the subsequent London 2012 Olympics fell short, she displayed her prowess in the team event by defeating Japan and South Korea before facing their biggest rivals, Italy, in the final. While the Russian team fell short, Deriglazova’s talent and skill were evident.
The year 2016 proved to be a turning point in Deriglazova’s career as she claimed the individual Olympic gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. This victory solidified her status as an elite fencer and showcased her ability to compete on the world’s biggest stage. Building on this success, Deriglazova continued to dominate the sport, securing two-time team and two-time individual European champion titles, as well as three-time team and three-time individual world champion titles.
Deriglazova’s journey culminated in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she added to her impressive collection of Olympic medals. She became a team Olympic champion and an individual Olympic silver medalist, further cementing her status as one of the world’s best fencers.
Throughout her career, Deriglazova has undeniably left an indelible mark on the sport of fencing. Her determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made her a role model for aspiring athletes worldwide. Inna Deriglazova continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of female fencers.
Awards:
– 2012 Olympics: Team Olympic Silver Medalist
– 2016 Olympics: Individual Olympic Gold Medalist
– 2021 Olympics: Team Olympic Champion, Individual Olympic Silver Medalist