Ranking the 12 best fencers of all time: Find out who tops the list

Ranking the 12 best fencers of all time: Find out who tops the list

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:22 PM

Fencing is a well-liked combat sport, among many others, and it is unique among Olympic sports in that it involves using a sword. Over the years, numerous fencers have achieved great success, especially at the Olympic level. The best fencers of all time and in history are revealed here.

Best fencer of all time
Masaru Yamada of Team Japan, left, competes against Ruslan Kurbanov of Team Kazakhstan in Men's Individual Épée at Makuhari Messe Hall on July 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Photo: Matthias Hangst
Source: Getty Images

Our list of the current top 10 fencers globally is based on how many gold medals the fencer has won, and the list does not differentiate between the disciplines. We have only considered the 12 highest-ranked great fencers in each discipline in the most updated lists of the International Fencing Federation.

12. Yamada Masaru

Who is the greatest fencer ever?
Masaru Yamada of Team Japan celebrates after a win in Men's Individual Épée round on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Makuhari Messe Hall on July 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Photo: Elsa
Source: Getty Images

A professional fencer from Japan named Yamada Masaru competes in international events. Masaru also started fencing in Toba, Japan, in the second grade of elementary school. He claimed he took up the sport since it complemented his physical attributes. The Japan Self-Defence Force Physical Training school is where this right-handed fence master receives his training.

Oleksandr Gorbachuk, Masaru's coach, is who he views as having the most influence. Masara is an athlete for the Japanese armed services, to speak specifically. Masaru, unfortunately, needed surgery for a slipped disc in 2020.

Regarding his accolades, the world's No. 12 best fencer has a lot to show off. Some of them are the Toba City Sports Excellence Award, the Mie Prefecture Sports Special Achievement Award, and the Excellence Award at the 2018 Asaka Citizen Sports Award.

11. Kong Man Wai Vivian

Great fencers
Man Wai Vivian Kong of Hong Kong, China, gives a thumbs up after a victory at the Women's Epee World Cup on January 12, 2019, at the Coliseo de la Ciudad Deportiva in Havana, Cuba. Photo: Devin Manky
Source: Getty Images

One of the best fencers in the world, Kong Man Wai Vivian, is known as the "Queen of Swords." That is to say; at the young age of 11, this Hong Kong beauty began practising fencing. Vivian excels in various sports, not just fencing, and she is an expert dancer and a black belt in Taekwondo.

Above all, she must credit her father for encouraging her to try fencing and succeeding. In Vivian's opinion, fencing is highly exquisite and comparable to ballet in terms of sports. She is so in love with it because of this. This left-handed fencer practices yoga before beginning her training, according to her. Vivian was the Female Athlete of the Year in Hong Kong in 2019 besides this.

10. Popescu Ana Maria

Rich fencers
Ana Maria Popescu of Team Romania celebrates victory at Makuhari Messe Hall on July 24, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Photo: Fred Lee
Source: Getty Images

Popescu Ana Maria, a professional fencer from Romania who is now ranked 10th, is regarded as one of the top fencers in the entire world. When it comes to her career, Maria began fencing in 1996. At this point, her brother led her to the fencing room of his club. Seeing it first-hand shaped her perception of the sport, and she began her training.

After only six months of training, she became the national champion in her age group; thus, fencing would appear to be the right sport. Regarding her accomplishments, Maria was awarded a Sports Merit Order Class I by the Romanian government in 2016. She was also made an Honorary Citizen of her town the same year.

9. Candassamy Marie-Florence

Most famous fencers?
France's Candassamy reacts during her women's epee qualifying bout on August 6, 2016, at the Carioca Arena 3, in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Fabrice Coffrini
Source: Getty Images

Candassamy Marie-Florence, a French fencer who happens to be one of the finest in the world, started fencing at the young age of seven. She carried on her father's legacy and rose to the top like him after being inspired by him.

Florence practices her right-handed playing at the National Institute of Sport in Paris. Florence teaches athletics at the Paris University Club in addition to fencing, and she also holds a Master of Arms degree in fencing.

8. Reizlin Igor

Who is the best fencer of all time?
Igor Reizlin of Team Ukraine celebrates after winning the Men's Épée Individual Fencing Bronze Medal Bout at Makuhari Messe Hall on July 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Photo: Matthias Hangst
Source: Getty Images

Reizlin was born in Izmail, Ukraine. Igor began learning to fence at the young age of eight. Igor's decision to become a fencer was expected, given that he was raised in a fencing family. Igor was one of the best fencers in the world and was trained by his father, Dmytro Reizlin.

Not to mention, he comes in at number eight. In particular, Igor took home the epee bronze medal (individual) and silver medal (team) in the 2019 World Championships. Later, he was recognized as Ukraine's Honoured Master of Sport.

Reizlin Igor, currently ranked eighth in the FIE, received much support and love from his community. People in his nation adore him and give him accolades whenever they can.

7. Santarelli Andrea

Rich fencers
Andrea Santarelli of Team Italy looks on after losing the Men's Épée Individual Fencing Bronze Medal Bout at Makuhari Messe Hall on July 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Photo: Elsa
Source: Getty Images

Santarelli Andrea, a professional fencer from Italy who competes with GS Fiamme Oro in the FIE, is currently ranked seventh among the world's top fencers. Aside from that, Andrea is an attractive young man who is also a very skilled fencer. His relative motivated him to the fence when he was six years old.

Andrea's parents had to take him away from the gym because he became addicted to the activity. Andrea attended daily practice sessions at the Foligno Fencing Club as a young man. All the magic took place here. Andrea replied that he wanted to win gold medals at the Olympics when asked what his objective was.

6. Choi Injeong

Best fencer of all time
Young Mi Kang of Team South Korea (L) changes over with Injeong Choi of Team South Korea (R) at Makuhari Messe Hall on July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Elsa
Source: Getty Images

One of the most well-known fencers in the world is Choi Injeong, a champion of professional fencing from Korea. Not to mention, she is currently rated sixth overall. Jeong began fencing while she was a junior in high school, too. Her coach persuaded her to join the fencing club after seeing her perform the long jump during physical education.

Her coach was pleased with her body. It was a wise choice, as it led to him being one of the best fencers in the world. Injeong also received the Citizen Honor Award in Geumsan County, South Korea, in 2012.

5. Siklosi Gergely

Who is the greatest fencer ever?
Gergely Siklosi of Team Hungary celebrates after winning the Men's Épée Individual Fencing semifinal at Makuhari Messe Hall on July 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Photo: Elsa
Source: Getty Images

Siklosi Gergely, better known by his nickname Gergo, is a left-handed professional fencer from Hungary who is also one of the finest in the world. Gergely began fencing at seven and quickly became prominent in the fencing community.

In addition to fencing, Gergely enjoys playing basketball, going places, sailing, and hanging out with his buddies. Additionally, Gergely is a member of the Sports Squadron of the Hungarian Army.

4. Limardo Gascon Ruben

Great fencers
Ruben Limardo Gascon of Venezuela celebrates after defeating Yunior Reytor Venet of Cuba at Lima Convention Center on August 05, 2019, in Lima, Peru. Photo: Buda Mendes
Source: Getty Images

Polish-born Limardo Gascon At age seven, Ruben picked up fencing. Ruben's interest in the activity began when his uncle taught him how to fence. Ruben developed a substantial right-hand fencing proficiency as his passion for the sport expanded.

But at 12, he was obliged to switch to his left hand and learn it again after a skateboard accident. In 2020, Gascon was inducted into the International Fencing Federation's (FIE) Hall of Fame. Before this, he was named Bolivar, Venezuela's Sportsman of the Year for 2015.

3. Romain Cannone

Best fencers
Romain CANNONE of France during the fencing training with the France team on June 14th, 2022, in Paris, France. Photo: Franco Arland
Source: Getty Images

One of the top fencers in the world, Romain Cannone, is ranked number one in the men's division. Romain began fencing at an early age, like most of the fencers in the ranking. So Romain began learning to fence at the age of 12. At the time, his family resided in New York City. Romain, though, was introduced to the sport by his cousin, and he was inspired to take up the sport after seeing his relative practice.

Romain works out at the National Institute for Sport for four hours daily as part of his training schedule. In addition, Romain won a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The French Fencing Federation then awarded Romain the 2021 Fencer of the Year. He is widely regarded as one of the richest fencers.

2. Sun Yiwen

Best fencers
Yiwen Sun of Team China celebrates winning the gold medal in her bout at Makuhari Messe Hall on July 24, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. Photo: Matthias Hangst
Source: Getty Images

When it comes to fencing, Sun Yiwen shines bright like the Sun, just as her name suggests. Not to mention, she ranks as the second-best fencer in the world. Yiwen, a Chinese native, began learning to fence in Yantai, China, in 2006. Coach Xu Zhaowei encouraged Yiwen to take up the sport, and he immediately developed a passion for it.

Additionally, this stunning left-handed woman is also known as the Fencing Goddess. She also received recognition from China's General Administration of Sport in 2014 as an Elite Athlete of the International Class. Yiwen enjoys playing video games, participating in sports, and listening to music in her spare time.

1. Katrina Lewis

Who is the best fencer of all time?
Katrina Lehis, from Estonia, during the 55th International Ciutat de Barcelona women's epee team Fencing World Cup tournament, in Barcelona, on 13th February 2022. Photo: Joan Valls
Source: Getty Images

Who is the best fencer of all time? Katrina, an Estonian native, started fencing in 2004. Thus, just like Yiwen, Katrina's coach encouraged her to take up fencing. In Katrina's instance, the coach believed it would be advantageous for the sport because of her height. She eventually became one of the most famous fencers in the world.

Regarding her accomplishments, Katrina was named Female Fencer of the Year by the Estonian Fencing Federation in 2018, 2019, and 2020. At the 2021 Association of National Olympic Committees Awards, Katrina and her teammates also won the Best Female Multiple Athlete Event of Tokyo 2020 honour.

Who is the greatest fencer ever?

Who is the greatest fencer ever?
Aladar Gerevich at the 1932 Olympic Games holding his sword. Photo: Bettmann
Source: Getty Images

Fencing legend Aladar Gerevich of Hungary is the greatest fencer to ever compete in the modern Olympic Games. He currently holds ten Olympic medals, seven of which are gold, one silver, and two bronze. Additionally, he has the unique distinction of being the only athlete to win the same event six times.

Women are the best fencers of all time because they appear to be in the majority. However, the sport is just as dangerous as it is exciting. No athlete listed in the rank has survived without suffering a sport-related injury. Every athlete responds with a gleeful "big time" when asked if it was worthwhile.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.