Lee Kiefer, a 30-year-old Filipino American foil fencer, has made it to her fourth consecutive Olympic season. With a distinguished career graced with thirteen Pan-American individual champion titles, four NCAA championships, and an Olympic medal, the American fencer will be seen defending her title in the French capital, which has already kicked off with a blast!

Like every athlete in the business, Lee Kiefer has her own story and solid reasons why she chose foil fencing. Her recent revelation has a lot to say about her choice of sport and her entry into the realm.

Lee Kiefer “didn’t have a choice at first”

The American team captain, Lee Kiefer, is a confident player who exudes versatility and zeal in her every performance to date. Thanks to her parents and coaches, the Notre Dame alum’s path to becoming a foilist was not a whim but a family affair!

Kiefer’s father, Steve, being a neurosurgeon by profession, has a profound love for fencing. He played in the mid-1980s for Duke University. Former Duke captain Steve instilled his love and passion for the sport in his children, and it eventually took root. Kiefer’s older sister, Alex, is a former foil fencer at Harvard, while her brother Axel is excelling in the sport. Reflecting on her introduction to fencing, Kiefer says, “My parents threw me into the sport, and I didn’t have a choice at first, but then I grew to love it; I’m obsessed with it to this day.” 

Recalling all her memories associated with her early training, the NCAA Champion mentioned that it was her family time practicing with her siblings. Growing up, they developed a close-knit bond with each other. Kiefer’s husband and two-time bronze medalist, Gerek Meinhardt, is also a fencer from Notre Dame. Kiefer trains with Meinhardt, and they consider it their ‘work-life balance.’

Further talking about her husband, Lee Kiefer quotes, “This will actually be my fourth Games with my partner, I think it’s my secret weapon, having someone I train with, someone who helps me on all the bad days, to be there in the stands during my event, kind of pushing me forward.” Notably, the couple is competing in the Paris Olympics, where the world champion will be vying for her title.

Chasing a new record at Olympics: How will Paris unfold for Lee Kiefer?

Lee Kiefer is the world’s number-one foilist. She backs her title with a gold medal at the Absolute Fencing Gear FIE Grand Prix Long Beach and a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics, further solidifying her status with a historic win at the Tokyo Olympics, where she became the first American to win gold in individual foil fencing. The Tokyo gold medalist has entered the ‘City of Lights’ in her full glory to bag her second consecutive gold and cement her legacy.

It will be interesting to watch this ace player defend her title. Kiefer’s events are scheduled for July 28 and August 1, with early rounds and medal rounds followed by team rounds, respectively. What do you think this season will unfold for the champion? Do let us know in the comments below!