The Wonder Woman this week is one of the top names in women's saber fencing. Hailing from Ukraine, Olga Kharlan began fencing at an early age after her parents could not afford the dance lessons young Kharlan initially wanted to take. Fortunately for the work, fencing lessons were cheaper- free in fact because her sabre coach godfather offered to teach his goddaughter for free. Eventually howver, Kharlan acquired Artem Skorokhad as her head coach and he continues to coach her today. At only 14, Kharlan was winning enough competitions to earn a spot on Ukraine's national team when she earned a bronze in the Junior World Championships after loosing a place in the finals to Mariel Zagunis. At only 17, Kharlan competed in the 2008 Olympics where she earned the gold medal.
The following year, Olga Kharlan won the silver at the world championships, losing to Mariel Zagunis in the finals. Kharlan led Ukraine's women's saber team to earn the gold in the team event however, and earned the athlete of the year award in the Ukraine Heroes of Sports Awards. Kharlan would go on to win several more medals at Olympic and world championship events including a silver in the 2016 Olympics for team saber, two bronzes at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in the individual event, two more world championship team golds, five team silvers, one team bronze, four individual golds, one more individual saber, and one individual bronze. Kharlan has also become involved in politics in her native Ukraine- speaking out against division in the country in response to Russian aggression. The international fencer is setting standards for women in the sport as one of the top names in her event and as a strong role model for young women and girls.
Comments