USA finishes 1-2 in fencing: Lee Kiefer, Lauren Scruggs make history in foil

PARIS − A pair of American women fencers on Sunday night won a pair of coveted Olympic medals – one gold and one silver.

Lee Kiefer beat teammate Lauren Scruggs at the Paris Games in the final bout of the women’s individual foil competition that showcased U.S. talent.

Arguably, some of the best fencing talent the United States has ever produced.

It was on display not only in the golden medal bout – which Kiefer won 15-6 – but during the daylong competition that ended with an All-American final.

Kiefer stands only 5-4 and 110 pounds. But she is a powerhouse.

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She won gold in the foil at the Tokyo Games in 2021, and here she defended that Olympic title while becoming only the second U.S. fencer to win two Olympic gold medals in individual competition. She is married to Gerek Meinhardt, a five-time U.S. Olympic fencer who is competing here and was on hand to celebrate. 

Inside the cavernous Grand Palais Sunday night, however, the moment went beyond the 30-year-old Kiefer.

It marked the first All-American final in the individual foil in Olympic history, and for that U.S. fencing also must thank Scruggs, the 21-year-old Harvard student from Queens, N.Y.

A first-time Olympian, Scruggs was not expected to contend for gold. But when the competition began Sunday, Scruggs dispatched one opponent after another − four in total.

Until she reached Kiefer.

No one could get past Kiefer.

Nonetheless, Scruggs won a silver medal in a bout that shined a light on two unique paths.

Kiefer grew up in Kentucky and developed world-class skills in a state a little better known for basketball than fencing. She is a four-time Olympian who has a decision to make: keep fencing, or return to medical school after an extended break to chase these Olympic dreams?

If Kiefer retires, Scruggs might be the star in waiting.

She trained at the Peter Westbrook Foundation, famous for introducing the sport to children of color in New York.

Scruggs, who is Black, distinguished herself internationally on the youth circuit. She was good enough to make the team at Harvard in 2021. Good enough to win an NCAA championship in foil last year. And ended in an All-American embrace, with Kiefer and Scruggs hugging after the historic bout.