Mariel

Zagunis

Quick Facts

• Daughter of Catherine and Robert Zagunis
• Has two brothers, Marten and Merrick
• Parents were both rowers on the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team
• Married to Michael Swehla in 2013
• Hobbies include cooking, running, hiking, gardening, volunteering, running and playing tennis
• Has fenced with her coach, Ed Korfanty, since she began the sport at age 10
• Most decorated fencer in the history of USA Fencing
• Inducted into the FIE Hall of Fame in 2013
• Made history at age 19 in 2004 when she became the first U.S. fencer to win an Olympic gold medal in 100 years
• Served as the Opening Ceremony flag bearer for the U.S. delegation at the London 2012 Olympic Games
• Her greatest source of inspiration in fencing has been Valentina Vezzali, a six-time Olympic champion in foil fencing.

Career Highlights

• 2015 Pan American Games, gold (team); 8th (individual)
• 2011 Pan American Games, gold (individual, team)

Olympic Experience

• 5-time Olympian; 4-time Olympic medalist (2 gold, 2 bronze)
• Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, 5th (Individual Sabre - Women), 6th (Team Sabre - Women)
• Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, bronze (Team Sabre - Women), 9th (Individual Sabre - Women)
• Olympic Games London 2012, 4th (Individual Sabre - Women)
• Olympic Games Beijing 2008, gold (Individual Sabre - Women), bronze (Team Sabre - Women)
• Olympic Games Athens 2004, gold (Individual Sabre - Women)

World Championship Experience

• Most recent: 2019 – 7th (Team Sabre - Women), 14th (Individual Sabre - Women)
• Years of participation: Individual Sabre - Women 2000, 2000, 2001, 2001, 2002, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019; Team Sabre - Women 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019
• Medals: 16 (6 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze)
• Gold – 2014 (Team Sabre - Women); 2010 (Individual Sabre - Women); 2009 (Individual Sabre - Women); 2005 (Team Sabre - Women); 2001 (Individual Sabre - Women); 2000 (Team Sabre - Women)
• Silver – 2014 (Individual Sabre - Women); 2011 (Individual Sabre - Women); 2006 (Individual Sabre - Women, Team Sabre - Women); 2004 (Team Sabre - Women)
• Bronze – 2015 (Team Sabre - Women); 2013 (Team Sabre - Women); 2012 (Team Sabre - Women); 2011 (Team Sabre - Women); 2000 (Individual Sabre - Women)

More

Personal Website
USA Fencing