Fencing in Lexington

Lee Kiefer's recent achievement of winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals in women's foil fencing has greatly inspired her hometown of Lexington, where young fencers like Alan Chen and Antonio Wong praise her mentorship and dedication to the sport. Meanwhile, fellow U.S. fencer Miles Chamley-Watson is working to change the perception of fencing, leveraging his celebrity status and sponsorships to attract a new audience. With a significant rise in youth participation in fencing, Chamley-Watson alongside Kiefer and Lauren Scruggs are helping to spotlight the sport, which has traditionally been seen as elitist. Scruggs, the first Black woman from the U.S. to win an individual fencing medal, hopes her success will inspire other young Black girls to pursue fencing, emphasizing the importance of representation in sports. Both athletes are part of a broader movement to make fencing more inclusive and accessible to diverse communities. The narratives around these fencers highlight a growing recognition of the sport's potential to appeal to a wider audience and foster diversity.