US Fencing Team Wins 3 Historic Golds in Rio

For 28 years, American junior men's épée fencers had come close but never reached the top of the world podium—until now.

At the 2026 Junior and Cadet World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Team USA rewrote fencing history with three gold medals. Over 1,600 athletes from across the globe competed, but it was the Americans who stole the show with a series of breakthrough victories.

The most dramatic win came in men's épée on the final day of competition. Facing a six-point deficit with just three bouts remaining against Israel, the American team rallied to tie the match 31-31 before pulling away for a historic 45-39 victory. It marked the first gold medal in the event's 28-year history.

Columbia sophomore Will Morrill added to the medal haul with individual silver in men's sabre. Just two weeks after earning bronze at the NCAA championships, Morrill faced Notre Dame's Ahmed Hesham in the semifinals—the same opponent who'd beaten him at NCAAs. This time, Morrill won.

Though he fell short in the final, Morrill's silver marked his fourth podium finish in five years at the world championships. He then helped Team USA capture their fourth consecutive team gold in men's sabre, defeating China 45-36.

The surprises didn't stop there. The junior men's foil team entered as the ninth seed with minimal expectations. They shocked top-ranked China 45-40 in the quarterfinals before defeating France 45-31 in the final to claim gold.

First-year Columbia fencer Katerina Lung represented Team USA in women's foil, finishing 24th individually. She then joined her teammates to win bronze in the team event, falling just short of the final but still earning a spot on the world podium.

Why This Inspires

These young athletes proved that persistence pays off. The men's épée team waited nearly three decades for their moment, while the foil squad showed that rankings don't define potential. Morrill's ability to bounce back from his NCAA loss and deliver on the world stage demonstrates the resilience these athletes carry.

The victories signal bright prospects for American fencing heading toward the 2028 Olympics, with these young champions leading the charge.