Fencing Across Borders: How One Youth Fencer’s Journey to Benin is Bridging Cultures and Building Dreams

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In the tranquil suburb of Riverside, Conn., a 16-year-old saber fencer named Ruth Mund is making an extraordinary impact. 

Known as a fencer who’s fierce on the strip but reserved and kind-hearted off it, Ruth took a giant leap outside her comfort zone this past spring break by traveling to Benin, West Africa, to share her love and knowledge of fencing with young Beninese athletes. 

Now that she’s returned to the United States, Ruth doesn’t want the story to end here. That’s why she’s calling on fellow fencers to help create training videos to share with Beninese fencers hoping to learn the sport she loves. (See how to contribute at the end of the story.)

Ruth’s journey began with an invitation from Jacques Okoumassoun, the President of the Beninese Fencing Federation. Despite initial apprehensions about her age and experience, Ruth decided to embrace the challenge. 

“Throughout my life, others have helped me get closer to my dreams,” Ruth writes about her journey. “I thought it was time for me to try to do the same for someone else.”

And so she packed her bags — and not just with clothes and her own fencing gear. Thanks to Gary Lu and Absolute Fencing, Ruth brought sabers, masks and gloves acquired through Absolute Fencing’s donation program. 

When she got to Benin, Ruth found 40 young fencers waiting for her at an outdoor practice space. Then she went to work, leading a workshop that incorporated the same skills she’d learned at fencing practice and camps. The young Beninese fencers, ranging in age from 7 to 20, were eager to learn and deeply appreciative of Ruth’s efforts. 

“Afterward, many of them shared how important it was to them that an American was willing to come from so far away to support their dreams,” Ruth says.

Even after Ruth returned to Connecticut, she stayed in contact with her new Beninese friends, excited to hear updates on their progress. Their journey will soon take them to overseas training camps, and they’re already encouraging Ruth to make a return visit soon.

As Ruth reflected on the experience, she saw the power of sports — especially fencing — to connect people across continents. All that’s needed is someone willing to make a start and continue what they started.

“Helping people is not just about the initial action but about maintaining the relationships you have made,” Ruth says. 

It’s also about doing what you can to amplify your impact. That’s why Ruth and her supporters are calling on the international fencing community to join their efforts. 

They’re seeking:

• Donations of equipment (an easy way is to donate your gear at the Absolute Fencing booth at any USA Fencing national tournament)

• Training videos, particularly in saber and epee, as the Beninese fencers currently do not have access to foil. 

  • Detailed instructional videos, preferably in French, would be especially beneficial.

  • Training videos can be uploaded to YouTube and shared with Ruth at mundruthm@gmail.com. You can also contact Ruth for more instructions on what kinds of videos would be most useful.

• Coaches interested in training other coaches. Several of the fencing coaches in Benin expressed to Ruth that having access to coaches who could help guide them would be game-changing.

As Ruth prepares for her next chapter, she carries with her the lessons learned from this transformative experience. 

“The biggest lesson I have learned from this experience is the power I have within myself when I keep my own dreams, and the dreams of others, in the forefront of my mind,” Ruth says.