Lori Nickel: An Italian fencer from Hartland, who also is a master scuba diver, will compete for the U.S. in the Olympics? Bellissima!
In an Ivy League-dominated sport that will be well-represented in this year's Summer Olympics with elite scrappers from Harvard (six), Princeton (five) and Notre Dame (four), Hartland – in the heart of Lake Country Wisconsin − feels like an unlikely place to find one of the best fencers in the country.
But when Margherita Guzzi Vincenti is not scuba diving the inland lakes, she’s training for the Paris Summer Games.
Guzzi Vincenti, 33, will compete in the epee division of fencing, July 27-Aug. 3 at the Grand Palais.
Born in Milan, Italy, Guzzi Vincenti came to the U.S. to fence collegiately for Penn State, where she won a national championship in 2010. Wanting to improve as a fencer, Guzzi Vincenti moved to Hartland in 2015 to train at the Ataba Fencing Club under three-time Olympic fencing coach Abbas Fadel.
She just missed qualifying for the 2021 Olympics in Japan while in the process of applying for U.S. citizenship. Now that she has it, she’s punched her ticket for Paris. And yet with her diverse background, it’s Wisconsin, and the U.S., that feels so much like home.
“I fell in love with the people here − the kindness and the friendship and how everything really works here,” Guzzi Vincenti said. “I can say I have two homes; I'm very attached to both. I do miss Italy, but this is just home and everything that surrounds this area is just beautiful for me."
Fadel, a three-time Olympian in his origin country of Egypt, opened his training facility in 1996 and his son competed in track at the University of Wisconsin. Fadel is considered one of the best fencing coaches in the world, and that’s what drew Guzzi Vincenti to the area.
"He is a very well-known referee and coach around the world,” Guzzi Vincenti said. “I knew that I wanted to really improve my fencing after college. So this was one of the primary reasons why I chose to move here and I've just loved the Midwest.”
Guzzi Vincenti was granted U.S. citizenship in 2019 but missed on the Olympics in Tokyo because she was a little behind internationally on her rankings and scores to fully qualify.
“I was very close to qualifying, so I ended up going there as an alternate and sparring partner,” she said. “So I have that experience of what the Olympics look like."
To qualify for Paris, Guzzi Vincenti did very well at the beginning of the season − she won gold at the FIE Women's Epee Satellite Cup in Lima − and has maintained solid results since then, including winning the World Cup in Italy last November. She knew going in to the last stretch of the qualification process that she had really high chances of qualifying and locking in a spot for Team USA.
"But because it's only three fencers that qualify, it's always very challenging,” said Guzzi Vincenti, who also trains and volunteers with the Notre Dame fencing team. “You're never guaranteed anything. You just have to work so hard and never take anything for granted. In the Olympics, only 34 fencers in the whole world go."
After the US national championships, Guzzi Vincenti is expected to compete throughout the rest of May with two international tournaments that will affect her international ranking going into the Olympics, which has consistently been in the top 35.
In June, Guzzi Vincenti will compete in the Pan American Games and in July she will compete in the North American Cup.
"Margherita, while one of the more seasoned fencers on Team USA, brings invaluable experience to the team," Fadel said. "Having won her NCAA championship in 2010, also don’t forget that she was first-team All-American all four years of college and earned podium for the next three years of NCAA. Her depth of experience can be a significant advantage at the Paris Games. Given her NCAA result, she was awarded a visit to the White House where she met President Obama."
He went on to explain that in fencing, especially epee, athletes often mature and peak in their late 20s to early 30s due to the tactical and strategic depth the sport requires.
"Margherita's extensive competition history, both domestically and internationally," Fadel said, "means she has faced a wide array of opponents and styles, honing her skills and sharpening her instincts over time, preparing her to having a great chance to win a gold medal at the Olympics."
Guzzi Vincenti is one of three women on Team USA Fencing’s Women’s Epee team. Known for her speed on the fencing strip, Guzzi Vincenti also is very quick with her movements and very fast at striking with strong lunges at opponents. There are various styles of attack.
"Korea and China is very explosive,” she said. “They work on their footwork very much. They are very, very fast, very strong on their legs. Europe is similar yet different, where they work mostly on the blade control. They work on precision, they work on distance, and here in the United States, I think we get the best of both worlds. Because we have coaches coming from all over the world, we really have a unique blend of styles.”
To pursue her Olympic dream, Guzzi Vincenti has delayed her career pursuit of being a cardiologist for the time being; she graduated with a pre-medicine degree at Penn State and she currently works in medical research. But it would not be surprising if she might settle in Hartland for a while.
“I enjoy the peace and the beauty of the lakes around us," she said. "So much kindness here. Everybody will take a minute to say hello versus if you live in New York. It's always about business, right? Everybody's walking down the street and very fast and nobody's looking at you. Nobody's holding the door for you. And things like that.
"There's so much beauty even in the simplicity of the environment that we have here. The lakes and the trees and everything.
"I'll tell you this. I feel like I got so much from our country here in America. I came here because of my fencing achievements, because I was part of the Italian national team and I was No. 3 in the juniors in the world. But I got a scholarship, so I got a great education.
"And I really got a network of people with support here that loved me so much and always helped me that I really want to give back to the country. And that's why I feel so proud to represent America. And it's just the biggest honor I could ever ask for us to just step on the Olympic strip with my name and our country represented."
Coach Abbas Fadel offered tips and suggestions for those new to fencing on what to look for while watching Guzzi Vincenti:
Footwork and agility: Fencing often is called "physical chess" and Guzzi Vincenti describes it that way due to its emphasis on strategy and quick thinking. Watch how Guzzi Vincenti moves across the piste (fencing strip). Her footwork is precise and swift, allowing her to control the distance between her and her opponent effectively.
Speed and reflexes: Guzzi Vincenti is known around the world for her lightning-fast reflexes. Pay attention to how quickly she can react to her opponent's movements and attack. This speed is crucial in epee, where matches can be decided in fractions of a second.
Tactical intelligence: Fencing isn't just about physical prowess; it's also a mental game. Look for how Guzzi Vincenti sets up her attacks and defenses. She may use feints (fake attacks) to confuse her opponent or strategically draw them into making a mistake.
Patience and timing: Some fencers are aggressive, constantly attacking, while others are more patient, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Notice Guzzi Vincenti's timing − how she balances between attacking and waiting for the right opportunity.
Precision and accuracy: In fencing, a single touch can determine the outcome of a match. Watch how precisely Guzzi Vincenti can land her touches on her opponent, often aiming for very small target areas.
Composure and focus: Fencing matches can be intense, but maintaining composure is key. Observe how Guzzi Vincenti stays focused and calm, even in high-pressure situations. This mental toughness is as important as physical skill.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Margherita Guzzi Vincenti of Hartland will fence in 2024 Olympics
