Fencer – Like Her

Elena Belova

Elena Dmitriyevna Novikova-Belova, born on 28 July 1947, is a retired Russian foil fencer who has left an indelible mark on the sport. Throughout her career, Belova achieved remarkable success in both individual and team events, competing in four consecutive Olympic Games from 1968 to 1980. She became renowned for her exceptional skills, resilience, and unwavering determination, ultimately earning her the distinction of being the first female fencer to claim four Olympic gold medals.

FranceFencer

Laura Flessel

Laura Flessel-Colovic, born in 1971 in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, is a French fencer and politician. Known as “The Wasp” for her exceptional footwork and quick touch, Laura’s impressive career includes two Olympic gold medals, a silver medal, and two bronze medals in women’s épée. She has also won numerous world and European championship titles, making her the most decorated French fencer in history. In addition to her sporting achievements, Laura served as the Minister of Sports in France, advocating for athletes and shaping sports policies.

HungaryFencer

Emese Szász

Emese Judit Szász, born in 1982 in Budapest, Hungary, is a renowned Hungarian fencer known for her exceptional skills and dedication to the sport. From a young age, Szász displayed a passion for sports, eventually finding her calling in fencing at the age of 10. She has achieved numerous accomplishments throughout her career, including silver and bronze medals at Junior European Championships, a third-place finish at World Championships, and impressive performances at various international competitions. Szász’s talent and hard work have brought honor and acclaim to both herself and her country.

South KoreaFencer

Kim Ji-yeon

Kim Ji-yeon is a South Korean left-handed sabre fencer who has made a significant impact on the world of women’s fencing. With numerous accolades to her name, she is recognized as one of the most successful and influential fencers in South Korean history. Her victory at the 2012 Olympics, where she became the first South Korean woman to win an Olympic gold medal in fencing, solidified her status as an Olympic champion and inspired aspiring female fencers. Kim’s dedication and talent have paved the way for women’s participation and representation in the sport.

RussiaFencer

Sofia Pozdniakova

Sofia Stanislavovna Pozdniakova, born on June 17, 1997, in Novosibirsk, Russia, is a Russian right-handed sabre fencer known for her exceptional skills and numerous achievements in the sport. Coming from a family deeply involved in fencing, she followed in her parents’ footsteps and emerged as a rising star in the fencing world. Her remarkable performances, including double gold at the 2021 Olympic Games, have made a lasting impact on the sport and inspired a new generation of athletes.

UkraineFencer

Yana Shemyakina

Yana Shemyakina is a Ukrainian right-handed épée fencer, three-time Olympian, and 2012 individual Olympic champion. She began fencing after recovering from a skiing accident and quickly showed talent in the sport. Despite initial doubts, she persevered and achieved great success, becoming an Olympic champion and a respected figure in the world of fencing.

FranceFencer

Pascale Trinquet

Pascale Trinquet, born in 1958 in Marseille, France, is a renowned French fencer and an Olympic champion in foil competition. Known for her exceptional skills and determination, she left an indelible mark on the sport. She clinched a gold medal in the individual foil event at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, and also secured another gold medal in the team foil event. Trinquet’s influence extended beyond sports, inspiring countless individuals, particularly young girls, to pursue their athletic passions without fear or hesitation. Today, she remains a revered figure in the world of fencing and a symbol of perseverance and achievement.

CanadaChinaFencer

Luan Jujie

Luan Jujie, born in 1958 in Nanjing, China, made history at the 1984 Summer Olympics as the first Chinese athlete to win a gold medal in fencing. Her remarkable achievements and contributions to the sport have had a lasting impact on both the Chinese and Canadian fencing communities.

United StatesFencer

Lee Kiefer

Lee Kiefer, an American right-handed foil fencer, has made history in the sport with her exceptional talent and numerous accomplishments. From a young age, she displayed immense determination and skill, earning her a bronze medal at the World Fencing Championships at just 17 years old. Her journey to success has been shaped by her strong familial support and unwavering passion for fencing.

HungaryFencerJewish

Ildikó Újlaky-Rejtő

Ildikó Rejtő, a retired Hungarian foil fencer, overcame adversity and achieved remarkable success in her career. Despite being born into a Jewish family during World War II and facing the challenge of being deaf, she pursued her passion for fencing. With determination and dedication, Rejtő became a two-time Olympic champion and a five-time World Champion, leaving a lasting impact on women’s sports history.

ItalyFencerTable Tennis

Maria Scutti

Maria Scutti (August 1928 – 2005) was an Italian paralympic athlete who made a profound impact on the world of sports. Known as the “golden woman” (donna d’oro), she earned this moniker through her outstanding achievements and groundbreaking victories.

GermanyUnited StatesFencer

Helene Mayer

Helene Julie Mayer was a German-born fencer who won the gold and silver medals at the 1928 and 1936 Olympics, respectively. Despite being forced to leave Germany in 1935 due to her Jewish descent, Mayer chose to compete for Nazi Germany in the 1936 Olympics. She became known as one of the greatest female fencers of all time and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Female Athletes of the 20th Century by Sports Illustrated.

HungaryFencerJewish

Ilona Elek

Ilona Elek, one of the greatest female fencers in history, overcame significant obstacles to achieve remarkable success. She became the first woman to win two Olympic gold medals in the individual foil competition and secured numerous international titles throughout her career. Elek’s legacy as an accomplished and influential female fencer continues to inspire athletes today.

DenmarkFencer

Ellen Osiier

Ellen Ottilie Osiier, a Danish fencer born in 1890, made significant contributions to the world of fencing, leaving a lasting impact on Danish sports history. She won a gold medal in fleuret fencing at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, becoming the first Danish woman to win an Olympic gold medal and the only Danish fencer, male or female, to accomplish this feat in fencing thus far. Osiier’s pioneering role as a successful female fencer inspired generations to come, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sport.

United StatesFencer

Mariel Zagunis

Mariel Leigh Zagunis, two-time Olympic champion in individual sabre fencing, made history as the first American to win a gold medal in Olympic fencing. Her remarkable achievements, including multiple World Cup Champion titles and FIE World Championship medals, solidify her place in women’s history and showcase her dedication to the sport.

ChinaFencer

Sun Yiwen

Sun Yiwen is a highly skilled and determined Chinese fencer. With her exceptional talent and dedication, she has achieved numerous accolades throughout her career. From winning gold medals at the Asian Games to securing a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics, Sun’s resilience and ability to overcome challenges make her an inspirational figure in the world of fencing. In 2021, she made history by winning an electrifying final and securing her first Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

RussiaFencer

Yana Egorian

Yana Egorian, born in Tbilisi, Georgia in 1993, is an accomplished sabre fencer. She rose to prominence at a young age and achieved remarkable success in her career. Her crowning moment came at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she won two gold medals. Egorian’s dedication and skill have made her a dominant force in the world of sabre fencing, and she continues to inspire aspiring fencers worldwide.

GermanyFencer

Britta Heidemann

Britta Heidemann, born on 22 December 1982 in Cologne, Germany, is a renowned German fencer for TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Throughout her career, Heidemann has achieved remarkable success in epee fencing, winning numerous championships and becoming a trailblazer in her sport.

RomaniaFencer

Laura Badea

Laura Badea, born in Bucharest, Romania in 1970, has made a significant impact on the sport of fencing. With numerous achievements to her name, she is considered one of Romania’s most successful athletes in fencing. Her dedication, skill, and passion for the sport have solidified her place in history and serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes around the world.

ItalyFencer

Giovanna Trillini

Giovanna Trillini (born 17 May 1970 in Iesi) is an Italian foil fencer and a highly decorated athlete. She has made a significant impact on women’s fencing and has achieved numerous accolades throughout her career. Trillini’s achievements include being a 4-time Olympic champion, winning medals in individual and team events, as well as winning multiple world championships.

ItalyFencerPolitician

Valentina Vezzali

Maria Valentina Vezzali, born on 14 February 1974, is an Italian politician and former fencer. She made significant contributions to both fields throughout her illustrious career. From 16 March 2021 to 22 October 2022, she served as the Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, with responsibility for sports in the Draghi government. Regarded as one of the greatest fencers of all time, Vezzali has amassed an impressive collection of Olympic medals. In total, she has won nine medals at the Olympic Games, including six gold, one silver, and two bronze. Her accomplishment places her among the most decorated and successful athletes in terms of Olympic medals and gold medals. Specifically, Vezzali is hailed as the most successful fencer in foil, the most medaled woman in fencing, and is on par with fellow fencers Edoardo Mangiarotti and Nedo Nadi as the Italian sportswoman with the most gold medals. Furthermore, she holds the distinction of being the second most decorated Italian sportswoman, behind only Mangiarotti.

RussiaFencer

Inna Deriglazova

Inna Deriglazova, a Russian right-handed foil fencer, has made a significant impact in the world of fencing. From a young age, she showcased her talent and determination, earning medals at various world championships. Her journey took a detour when she got married and gave birth to her daughter, but she quickly resumed training and achieved remarkable success. Deriglazova’s breakthrough moment came in 2012 when she won her first senior individual title, and she went on to claim the individual Olympic gold medal in 2016. Her impressive career continues to inspire aspiring athletes worldwide.

ItalyFencer

Elisa Di Francisca

Elisa Di Francisca is an Italian former fencer who achieved remarkable success in the sport of fencing. She became Olympic Champion at the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London 2012, winning gold in both the individual and team Foil competition. Di Francisca’s exceptional skills and dedication solidified her place in women’s fencing history and she is considered one of the strongest Italian fencers ever. Her impact extends beyond her individual accomplishments as she continues to inspire future generations of athletes.

GermanyFencer

Anja Fichtel

Anja Fichtel, born on 17 August 1968 in Tauberbischofsheim, is a retired German foil fencer. Her remarkable achievements in the sport have solidified her place as one of the most successful fencers of all time. Fichtel has claimed the title of ten-time German individual champion, five-time world champion, and two-time Olympic champion in foil, amassing a total of 14 medals at the Olympic Games, World, and European Championships.

ItalyFencer

Irene Camber

Irene Camber, born on 12 February 1926, is an Italian former fencer who left an indelible mark on the sport. Daughter of the poet-soldier Giulio Camber Barni, Irene grew up surrounded by art and literature. However, it was the world of fencing that would become her true passion and place her among the most accomplished athletes in Italian history.

AustriaFencerJewish

Ellen Preis

Ellen Müller-Preis, also known as Ellen Preis, was a German-born Austrian Olympic-champion foil fencer. Her exceptional talent and dedication quickly propelled her to success in the world of fencing. She triumphed over her competitor, Heather “Judy” Guinness of England, in an exhilarating display of skill and determination to clinch the gold medal in the individual women’s foil competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics. Preis continued to inspire others with her resilience and passion for fencing until her passing in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and breaking barriers in the world of sports.

GermanyFencer

Heidi Schmid

Heidi Schmid, born in 1938 in Klagenfurt, is a retired German fencer who made a significant impact in foil fencing during the 1960s. She became a world champion and won a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Her achievements and contributions to the sport have solidified her place in fencing history.

Great BritainFencer

Gillian Sheen

Gillian Mary Donaldson MBE (née Sheen; 21 August 1928 – 5 July 2021) was a British fencer and Olympic champion in foil competition. Sheen’s contribution to the sport, her achievements, and her impact on women’s history are commendable. She leaves behind a lasting legacy as a formidable fencing champion, a trailblazer for women in sports, and a role model for perseverance and dedication. Her memory will forever inspire generations to come.

TurkeyArchaeologistFencer

Halet Çambel

Halet Çambel was a Turkish archaeologist and Olympic fencer. She was the first woman with a Muslim background to compete in the Olympic Games. Çambel’s life was marked by her passion for archaeology, her groundbreaking achievements in fencing, and her dedication to preserving Turkey’s cultural heritage.