The USA has its fair share of Olympic glory in the fencing events. Last time in Tokyo, Lee Kiefer had brought the country the Olympic gold medal in the individual foil event. Her fencing prowess has helped the USA to take the team world championship in 2018. Meanwhile, the saber fencing event in the Olympics had witnessed the USA take the highest podium in 2004 and 2008. The individual medals were awash with the scent of success, courtesy of Mariel Zagunis. Achievements like these have inspired many more to follow suit and one such under the hearth of fencing royalty is a 16-year-old wunderkind. 

She is nimble, quick on her feet, knows the magic of en garde and inspired the crowd recently appeared in the tussle to earn a berth in the Olympics trial and then in Paris. Eventually, she finds thorough support from her veteran coach on the path of claiming the summits. 

Arizona drops in the latest Olympic talent in the hallowed fencing halls

On January 23, AZFamily| Arizona News posted a video on YouTube with the title, “Arizona teen fencing prodigy working toward Olympic competition”. The video displayed a teenage fencing prodigy trying her best in the practice. Gabriella Wang, the 16-year-old Arizona native, already owns a truckload of experience in competitive fencing encompassing the last 10 years. Moreover, she earned insignias in saber fencing from several youth competitions participating in the Stars and Stripes. Eventually, as per her coach, Will Becker, the former Saber Y10 medalist, flaunted bravado to win her competitions. 

“we used to call her as a little fireball. We’d say we could put her up in fight against a guy 6’4” and she’d win”, boasted the coach of the Phoenix Fencing Academy. His coaching repertoire already has several Junior Olympic protégés like Luke Linder, the silver medalist in saber fencing at the 2018 Junior Olympics. Alluding to that, Becker rated Gabriella’s patience, physicality, and intelligence highly to earn the Olympic chance. On that estimate, the teenager panned out well to retain the trust her coach bestowed on her. 

The Olympics route is but a sword’s sinew away

Despite clinching titles for so many years, for Gabriella Wang, the most effective moment defining the Olympic possibility came through a familiar connection. Gabriella shares a link to Puerto Rico on her mother’s side. So on that ground, she holds the top class in senior-level saber fencing in Puerto Rico. So that could be another connection for giving her an Olympic berth if Puerto Rico holds an Olympic trial. 

Read more: Unmask the Thrills, Learn Everything You Should Know About USA Fencing Ahead of Much Anticipated Pan American Games

However, as of now, Gabriella Wang’s Olympic participation fate is lingering on qualifying for the US trial. That will be finalized after the 2024 Senior Women’s Saber World Cup or Grand Prix takes place. Along with that, the 2024 Division 1 National Championship will also permit required eligibility based on the point system. 

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