Bronze Victory for Jewish Fencer at Paris Games

Fencer Nick Itkin has added another Olympic medal to his collection, winning bronze in the individual men’s foil competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 24-year-old Los Angeles native, ranked No. 2 in the world, triumphed over Japan’s Kazuki Iimura with a score of 15-12.

This victory marks Itkin’s second Olympic medal, following his bronze in the team foil competition at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite placing twelfth in the individual contest in Tokyo, Itkin has made a remarkable comeback in Paris, showcasing his skill and determination.

Itkin's achievement is part of a successful run for the U.S. fencing team, which has already secured three foil medals in Paris. His teammates Lee Kiefer and Lauren Scruggs won gold and silver, respectively, in the women’s foil event.

A two-time NCAA champion, Itkin made history last year by becoming the first American man, and the third U.S. fencer overall, to win individual medals at back-to-back world championships. He claimed a silver medal at the 2023 World Fencing Championships, further solidifying his status as one of the top fencers in the world.

Itkin is one of six Jewish fencers on the U.S. team in Paris. Although his fellow fencers Eli Dershwitz, Jackie Dubrovich, and Mitchell Saron were knocked out in early matches, Itkin’s success brings pride to the Jewish community. Yuval Freilich, the first Israeli man to become a European fencing champion, also faced an unexpected early exit in his first match.

Itkin's journey in fencing is deeply rooted in his family heritage. His father, Misha, a Jewish immigrant from Ukraine, opened a fencing club in Los Angeles where he coached Nick. The duo visited Israel together in 2022, fulfilling a long-held family goal.

“I can’t say that I’m very much involved in the Jewish religion, but my father, it’s a huge part of his identity so obviously I grew up experiencing the culture and the religion,” Itkin shared with the Sporting Tribune in May. “When we visited Israel, it was one of his goals, to bring his family there. It meant a lot to him.”

Nick Itkin will next compete in the team foil competition on Sunday, where the U.S. team will face Egypt in the first round. His impressive performance in Paris has already made a significant mark, and he continues to be a strong representative of Jewish athletes on the global stage.

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