Lee Kiefer secured consecutive gold medals in foil fencing, while her teammate Lauren Scruggs made history on Sunday by winning silver, becoming the first Black fencer to earn an Olympic medal in an individual women’s event for the United States.
Kiefer prevailed 15-6 in the last against Scruggs, commending with a happy pirouette down the piste. She commented that knowing the U.S. song of praise would play no matter what the result “eased the heat off.”
The lively crowd filling the cavernous Grand Palais provided a stark contrast to the quiet, empty venue in Chiba, Japan, where Kiefer won her first Olympic gold three years ago amid pandemic restrictions. The enthusiastic audience’s cheers and support added to the excitement and atmosphere of the event, making this victory even more memorable for Kiefer.
Kiefer devoted her triumph to Buckie Drain, the mentor who directed her to gold in Tokyo and unfortunately died in a bike mishap only 20 days after the fact. “He would be so glad for me,” Kiefer shared. “This success is for him. I even have his image on my wall in the town.”
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Kiefer’s gold decoration denotes the fifth individual occasion triumph for a U.S. fencer. She joins Mariel Zagunis, who won gold in 2004 and 2008, as the main American fencers to accomplish consecutive gold decorations in a similar occasion.
“Mariel, who accomplished this remarkable feat before me, has been a tremendous source of support and inspiration. She has played a crucial role in helping me feel important, seen, and empowered over the past few years. Her encouragement has meant the world to me, and I really want to thank her for being such a vital person in my journey,” Kiefer said.
“The last all-U.S. final in Olympic fencing happened in 2008 when Mariel Zagunis defeated Sada Jacobson in saber, part of an American podium sweep. Before that, such a final hadn’t occurred since 1904.”
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“I’m certainly more excited than disheartened,” Scruggs said. “Truly, it’s been so amazing just to be here that I haven’t had the opportunity to deal with the misfortune completely. I’m simply in wonder and amazingly appreciative.”
Scruggs’ ascent in the world of fencing has been swift and impressive. The 21-year-old Harvard student from Queens, New York, reflected on her journey, saying, “Just two years ago, I was hoping to make the team. Last year, I made my first senior team. So, to come here and win a medal is truly unbelievable.”
Scruggs communicated her desire to rouse youthful Dark fencers, stressing that they have a spot in the game. In the interim, Kiefer is essential for an eminent Olympic power couple.
Kiefer’s significant other, Gerek Meinhardt, is a double cross Olympic bronze medalist in men’s foil and will contend in two occasions in Paris. Both Kiefer and Meinhardt are clinical understudies at the College of Kentucky, however they’ve stopped their investigations to zero in on their Olympic desires.
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When asked about her future, Kiefer listed the upcoming events for herself and Meinhardt in Paris, saying, “That’s as far as we’re thinking for now.”
Eleanor Harvey made history by becoming the first Canadian to win an Olympic fencing medal. She secured the bronze with a 15-12 victory over Italy’s Alice Volpi. Harvey’s remarkable achievement highlights a significant milestone for Canadian fencing on the global stage.
On Sunday, Japan’s Koki Kano secured the gold decoration in men’s epee by overcoming France’s Yannick Borel 15-9. This triumph denoted Japan’s most memorable gold in a singular fencing occasion at the Olympics, adding a noteworthy accomplishment to their brandishing heritage.
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For the second day in a row, the enthusiastic home crowd was left with silver after Auriane Mallo-Breton narrowly missed out on gold in the women’s epee final on Saturday. The excitement continued as Egypt’s Mohamed Elsayed clinched the bronze medal with a dramatic 8-7 overtime win against Hungary’s Tibor Andrasfi. The match was fiercely contested, highlighting the intense competition and skill on display throughout the fencing events.