Mastering the Blade: The 10 Greatest Fencers in History
The Top 10 Greatest Fencers of All-Time
Fencing is a fascinating sport - but who are the greatest fencers of all-time?
The Sporting Blog looks at the top 10 greatest athletes throughout the years. Read on to find out more!
Ruben Limardo: a modern fencing icon to watch
Fencing is a popular combat sport, and it’s also been glamorised by history novels - and it’s one of the most unique Olympic sports out there.
It involves using swords or sabres and has a special distinction for being the primary sword-based combat sport.
Fencing's allure lies not just in its competitive nature but also in its historical and cultural significance. The individual athletes that have excelled in this elegant yet fierce sport deserve recognition for their dedication and mastery.
Within the Olympic realm as well as outside of it, numerous athletes have left an indelible impact on fencing - and every lover of this sport must get familiar with these big names.
Let's delve into some of the world's finest fencers who have consistently dominated this discipline.
Their achievements and records have not only earned them global recognition but have also shaped the sport's legacy.
Read on for the 10 greatest fencers in history!
1. Edoardo Mangiarotti
He comes from a famous fencing family
He achieved 39 Olympic titles and World Championships
The International Olympic Committee named him the greatest fencer in history
If you look at the number of total medals won in the Olympic Games by fencers, one name will come out on top – Edoardo Mangiarotti.
He was an Italian fencer that took the fencing sport by storm - and none of it was accidental.
On the contrary, Edoardo Mangiarotti comes from a very famous fencing family; his father, Giuseppe Mangiarotti, was actually a Milanese fencing master and 17-time National Épée Champion.
As such, he encouraged and planned his son’s championship career and actually moulded him into an awkward opponent, as he converted him from a natural right-hander to a left-hander.
Both of his brothers were also fencers, and his older brother won the world title in Cairo in 1949, as well as gold and two silver medals at the Olympics.
But the biggest fencing pride of the family remained Edoardo. His impressive career started at a very young age, as he became a National Junior Foil Champion at the age of 11.
Five years later, he was already comping in the 1935 World Championships, winning a place in the Italian senior team at the age of 16.
The next year, his team won an Olympic team épée gold medal which he dedicated to his father and all the hard work he invested in coaching him. This is where everything started - and his career continued to develop.
In total, Edoardo clinched an impressive 39 Olympic titles and World Championships, a record that outshines any other fencer in the sport's history.
From 1936 to 1960, his collection includes one individual gold medal, five team gold medals, five silver medals and two bronze medals in the Olympic arena.
When he retired in 1961, he left the Olympic fencing arena as the greatest combined épée and foil fencer in the world.
Over 40 years later, in 2003, the International Olympic Committee awarded Edoardo Mangiarotti with a Platinum Wreath, together with a document that stated the following:
"Edoardo Mangiarotti's total of 39 gold, silver & bronze medals in Olympic & World Fencing Championships which earns him the distinction of being the greatest Fencer in that sport's history."
2. Aladar Gerevich
He earned a gold medal at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
He’s won seven gold medals in sabre at six different Olympics
He remained a coach at the Vasas Sports Club
Aladár Gerevich stands as a true luminary in the world of fencing, earning his place as "the greatest Olympic swordsman ever.”
Gerevich's passion for fencing ignited at an early age, and he joined the fencing team as an 18-year-old in Los Angeles.
His passion and talent for fencing have propelled him on an extraordinary journey that spanned multiple decades. And it all started with him earning his first gold medal at the 1932 Games in Los Angeles when he was just 22 years old.
Much of his career is considered exceptional and ground-breaking, as he has won seven gold medals in sabre at six different Olympic Games (1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956 and 1960).
He’s also enjoyed great individual success. He is one of only two athletes that were able to win the same event six times (even though two games were cancelled due to WWII).
His gold medals in 1932 and 1960, spanning a remarkable 28 years, remain unparalleled.
In a captivating turn of events, Gerevich demonstrated his unyielding determination during the Hungarian Olympic trials for the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Despite being told he was too advanced in age at 50 years old, Gerevich quelled doubt by challenging the entire sabre team to one-on-one contests, emerging victorious in each.
His journey concluded with him missing the finals of the 1960 Olympic individual sabre event by a mere touch. This record for the longest span between initial and final Olympic medals was later matched by equestrian Mark Todd.
Throughout his career, he managed to win seven gold medals (in sabre team) and one sabre individual, as well as two bronze medals (in sabre individual and foil team) and one silver medal in sabre individual.
Success seems to run in his family, as everyone, from his father-in-law, Albert Bogen, to his wife Erna Bogen and his son Pal Gerevich, have competed in fencing and won Olympic medals for it.
After his remarkable success in fencing, he didn’t entirely retire from the sport but switched to coaching. He remained a fencing coach at the Vasas Sports Club in Budapest until his last days – he died at the age of 81.
3. Valentina Vezzali
She’s won a total of 65 medals during her career
She’s played a large role in the progression of the sport
The fourth-highest count of Olympic medals for Italian athletes at nine
Maria Valentina Vezzali is another Italian who dominated and changed the world of fencing, as she went on to become one of the greatest female fencers in the world.
Upon retirement, she became a member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies as part of the Civic Choice party, where eight years later she became Italy’s cabinet undersecretary in charge of sports.
From playing the game to changing its policies, she greatly contributed to the progress of fencing.
Throughout her remarkable fencing career, Vezzali etched her name in Olympic history by becoming the first fencer to seize three consecutive individual foil gold medals in three successive Olympics: Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Her Olympic journey boasts a total of nine medals: three gold, one silver and one bronze in individual foil, coupled with three gold and one bronze in team foil.
In total, she’s won 65 medals. This includes:
Nine Olympic medals (six gold, one silver and two bronze)
26 World Championships medals (16 gold, six silver and four bronze)
Eight Universiade medals (five gold and three silver)
Two gold medals at the Mediterranean Games
Vezzali proudly holds the fourth-highest count of Olympic medals for Italian athletes at nine, standing as the most-decorated female Summer Olympian from Italy.
Her legacy follows closely behind iconic figures in Italian sports like fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti (13 medals), short-track speed skater Arianna Fontana (11 medals) and cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo (10 medals).
4. Pal Kovács
He started his career as a hurdler, but soon swapped to fencing
He was part of the winning Hungarian sabre team at five successive Olympics
He was the World Sabre Champion in 1937 and 1953
Pal Kovács was part of the same team as Aladar Greevich at the 1960s Olympics. Interestingly enough, he began his athletic career as a hurdler but gradually switched to fencing, which turned out to be the right choice.
He became part of the winning Hungarian sabre team at five successive Olympics (1936-1960) alongside Aladar Gerevic, and he also excelled at individual championships.
He won individual gold in 1952 and bronze in 1948.
Throughout his career, this incredible fencer managed to win six gold medals (five gold medals from team sabre and one from an individual). He also won one bronze Olympic medal.
He won an incredible eight gold medals at team sabre World Championships. Kovács was also the World Sabre Champion in 1937 and 1953.
Upon retiring from fencing, he went on to become Vice President of the Fédération International d’Éscrime (FIE) in 1980. In English, this is the International Federation of Fencing.
5. Rudolf Kárpáti
He was a six-time Olympic gold medallist
He became president of the Budapest Fencing Federation in 1977
He was also an accomplished violinist and he served in the Hungarian army
Rudolf Kárpáti, a Hungarian fencing legend, left an indelible mark on the sporting and art world.
With a staggering six gold medals in sabre spanning four Olympic Games from 1948 to 1960, his dominance on the world stage was unparalleled.
Kárpáti's legacy resonates in his 12-time World Fencing Championship medal count, including seven gold, three silver and two bronze medals, as well as becoming a six-time Olympic gold medallist.
Yet, Kárpáti's talents extended beyond the arena. A music enthusiast, he graduated from the National Conservatory with a major in music history and showcased his skills as an accomplished violinist.
Notably, he assumed the role of artistic director for the People's Army Central Artistic Ensemble.
Beyond his musical pursuits, Kárpáti dedicated himself to the Hungarian State Credit Bank and also served as an officer in the Hungarian Army, earning the rank of Major General.
After retiring from competitive fencing, Kárpáti continued to shape the sport's landscape. He became president of the Budapest Fencing Federation in 1977 and contributed to the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime.
6. Nedo Nadi
He was a six-time Olympic gold medallist
He held the record for winning the most fencing gold medals at a single Olympic Games
He became President of the Italian Fencing Federation after retirement
Many recognise Nedo Nadi as the world’s most versatile fencer in Olympic history. He won at least one Olympic gold with all three of the classic fencing weapons (foil, sabre and épée).
Much like other fencers from his time, he came from a fencing family and was taught fencing by his father at a very young age, when he trained alongside his brother.
However, his father forbade him to train with the épée, as he considered it to be an “undisciplined” weapon.
Nonetheless, Nedo was fascinated by the sport and, determined to master every style of fencing, secretly learned and practised with épée on his own.
This decision turned out to be the right one for him, as years later he won gold in the team épée event.
Throughout his career, he made several significant contributions.
He was a six-time Olympic gold medallist and held the record for winning the most fencing gold medals ever at a single Olympic Games – five medals in 1920.
This speaks volumes about his versatility and unmatched talent. Nedo was also a World War I veteran and upon retirement he became President of the Italian Fencing Federation.
7. Mariel Zagunis
She became the first US fencer to hold the Jr. World Cup Champion title
She was the youngest fencer to win the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime World Championship gold
She became a two-time Olympic champion for America
Mariel Zagunis comes from an athletic family, and both of her parents competed in the US rowing team in the Summer Olympics in 1976.
But unlike her parents, she and both of her brothers chose to go a different route and started fencing sabre.
She started breaking records from the very beginning of her competitive career as she became the first American fencer to hold the Jr. World Cup Champion title (2002), and she did so three years in a row (2002, 2003 and 2004).
She also became the youngest fencer to win the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE) World Championship gold, and the youngest fencer to win three FIE medals in one season.
She was the first fencer in the history of the sport to hold more than two World Champion titles in one season - yet another incredible record!
However, she is best known for winning the first gold medal in Olympic fencing for America. She actually became a two-time Olympic champion, winning gold twice in the individual sabre.
In recent years, she was one of the three female sabre fencers to represent the US at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She came in 10th place - but this is still a great accomplishment considering the competition.
8. Sun Yiwen
She secured first place in four Individual Women's Épée World Cups
In the 2016 Olympics, she earned third place in Individual Women's Épée
She won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020
Sun Yiwan is a three-time team, Asian Champion and two-time World Champion, earning her rightful spot on our list.
Her coach, Xu Zhaowei, encouraged her to take on fencing as she showed early potential, and she thought it would be good for her health. However, during her competitions, she unfortunately sustained shoulder and knee injuries on several occasions.
In the World Cup arena, she's proven her potential by securing first place in four Individual Women's Épée World Cups and clinching third place three times.
Her performance in the Grand Prix has been consistent too, with first and third place finishes in two instances.
She's shown her strength in various championships, including:
Seven Asian Championships
Five World Championships
Three Olympic Games
In the 2016 Olympics, she earned third place in Individual Women's Épée and second place in Team Women's Épée. However, her most recent triumph came in the 2020 Games, where she seized the gold medal in Individual Women’s Épée, solidifying her prowess.
We can’t wait to see how she does at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as she promised to return with great results.
9. Ruben Limardo
He came second two times in the World Championships
He won gold in Individual Men’s Épée at the 2012 Olympic Games
He was honoured with the Venezuelan Order of the Liberator due to his Olympic success
Meet Ruben Gascon, a talented fencer from Venezuela who's making waves in the fencing world. His skills and achievements make his career one to watch!
Ruben started fencing very young, at the age of seven, and he was first encouraged to try out the sport by his Uncle. While he was originally a right-handed foil fencer, he had an injury that caused him to switch both hand and weapon.
Throughout his career:
He came second two times in World Championships
He was among the first three places in 20 Pan American Championships, World Cups and three Grand Prix
He won the gold medal in Individual Men’s Épée at the 2012 Olympic Games in London
Notably, Ruben holds a special place in the hearts of his fellow countrymen, having clinched Venezuela's inaugural fencing medal and their second-ever gold in Olympic history.
Additionally, he achieved the distinction of securing Latin America's first Olympic gold in épée in over a century, following in the footsteps of Ramón Fonst's triumph in 1904.
With such ground-breaking achievements, Ruben Gascon's journey in fencing stands as an inspiring and historically-significant endeavour.
In recognition of his remarkable achievements at the London Olympic Games, he was honoured with the prestigious Venezuelan Order of the Liberator.
Adding to his accolades, President Hugo Chávez bestowed upon him a gold replica of Simon Bolivar's sword adorned with precious stones.
These gestures stand as a testament to his exceptional accomplishments and the profound pride he’s brought to his nation.
10. Katrina Lehis
She started fencing in 2004 at the age of 10
She won one gold and one silver medal at the European Championship
She won first place in Team Women’s Épée at the 2020 Olympics
Currently ranked as one of the top fencers in the world by the International Fencing Federation (FIE), Katrina Lehis first got into the world of fencing in 2004 at the age of 10.
Katrina comes from Estonia, where her coach suggested that she try fencing due to her height, as he believed this would be beneficial. Turns out, he was absolutely right, as she has since become one of the greatest fencers in the world!
She was successful from the very beginning, becoming a member of the Estonian Junior and Cadet fencing teams in 2009.
Five years later, she won her very first individual gold at the Junior World Fencing Championships and was named Estonian Young Athlete of the Year.
She’s won one gold and one silver medal at the European Championship, and four medals (one gold and three silver) at Grand Prix.
However, her greatest success arrived in the 2020s, as she won first place in the 2020 Olympic Games in Team Women’s Épée and third place in Individual Women’s Épée .
It looks like she’s headed for great heights - and we like to think that we’re yet to witness her true potential. She’s definitely a fencer that’s worth following.
Have we missed anyone off our list? Do you follow fencing? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
