After a disappointing stint in Rio, Filipino-American fencer Lee Kiefer is back with a vengeance.
The 22-year old Kentucky native, daughter of a Dabawenya doctor Teresa Kiefer, took gold in the women’s foil event of the Turin Grand Prix in Turin, Italy over the weekend.
Ranked no. 3 in the world, Kiefer faced her first major test in the semi-final against Arianna Errigo of Italy, a two-time world champion and 2012 Olympic silver medalist.
Playing a very tactical gameplan throughout the match, the half-Pinay beauty walked away with a 15-11 win over her rival.
Errigo had beaten Kiefer in the 2012 London Olympics quarterfinals to deny her of a medal.
In the all-USA finals, Kiefer faced compatriot Nicole Ross and scored a 15-8 convincing win.
After suffering a minor injury in the match, Kiefer picked herself up to earn the gold medal and stretch her career record to 4-1 against her 2012 Olympic teammate.
The final was the first time Team USA finished gold-silver at a women’s foil grand prix.
Kiefer recently won gold in the Penn State Championships for her team Notre Dame University. Her brother Axel likewise won a gold medal in that event.
