Kiefer, Zagunis Earn Historic Induction into USA Fencing Hall of Fame
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by Bryan Wendell
Two Olympic gold medalists, Lee Kiefer OLY and Mariel Zagunis OLY, will cement their place in fencing history with an automatic induction into the USA Fencing Hall of Fame this summer in Milwaukee.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — There was never any doubt that two of the greatest fencers in U.S. history would be inducted into the USA Fencing Hall of Fame.
But thanks to a new move from the USA Fencing Hall of Fame Committee and Board of Directors, Lee Kiefer OLY and Mariel Zagunis OLY will be inducted sooner than expected and without even a need for a vote.
This unprecedented move comes after the USA Fencing Board of Directors voted on March 7, 2025, to award automatic Hall of Fame induction to any athlete who has captured individual Olympic gold.
In explaining its rationale, the Hall of Fame Committee said it “offered this recommendation to celebrate the successes of our Olympic gold-medal-winning legends to ensure they do not potentially crowd out candidates on the cusp of getting in.”
Both athletes, already etched in the record books for their success at the Olympics and beyond, will be honored on July 1, 2025, at the USA Fencing Hall of Fame & Awards Dinner in Milwaukee.
The event is certain to be a star-studded evening, celebrating the milestones achieved by Kiefer, Zagunis and 10 more of America’s brightest fencing legends (see the list below). Tickets for the ceremony — set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Baird Center — are now on sale, making this a can’t-miss moment for fans eager to witness history.
Hall of Fame Inductees This Summer in Milwaukee
- Pat Bedrosian
- Jeff Bukantz
- Jim Carpenter OLY
- Jane Hall Carter
- Lee Kiefer OLY
- Amgad Khazbak
- Dan Magay OLY-HUN
- Semyon Pinkhasov
- Nzhinga Prescod OLY
- Phil Reilly OLY
- Kornel Udvarhelyi
- Mariel Zagunis OLY
"Talking Gold"
And speaking of Kiefer and Zagunis, while you’ll be able to see them honored on July 1, there’s a chance to hear from these two legends even sooner.
On April 11, 2025, you’ll have a front-row seat to “Talking Gold,” a rare live conversation featuring these Olympic champions. This once-in-a-lifetime discussion is part of the April North American Cup, Division I National Championships and Parafencing National Championships.
Tickets for "Talking Gold" are free (but required). Reserve yours now to learn more about the journeys that led them to claim Olympic gold — and soon, a permanent place in fencing’s most prestigious hall.
