Filipino-American fencer Lee Kiefer became the first US women’s foil fencer to earn a world no. 1 ranking after winning the gold medal at the Absolute Fencing Gear FIE Grand Prix Long Beach on Saturday.
The 22-year old Kiefer, daughter of a Dabawenya doctor Teresa Orpilla and neurosurgeon Steve Kiefer, reached the unprecedented feat with her fourth consecutive Grand Prix medal and third straight international podium finish.
The two-time Olympian moved past erstwhile no. 1 and archrival Arianna Errigo of Italy.
With three international titles and six medals within the last 12 months, Kiefer’s latest gold medal allowed her to move past the 2012 Olympic silver medalist.
The Fil-Am foilist has an impressive record of two Olympic stints, three NCAA titles, six Pan-Am titles and now, four Grand Prix titles.
Although Kiefer and Errigo did not fence each other in Long Beach, Kiefer now holds a 2-1 record against the seven-time Senior World Champion in their last three meetings with wins against Errigo at both the Shanghai and Havana Grand Prix tournaments in 2016.
“Besides an Olympic medal, obtaining a world number one ranking has always been my dream,” said Kiefer in an interview with Fencing USA. She won a bronze medal at the Senior World Championships in 2011 as the second U.S. women’s foil fencer in history to reach the individual podium at the event.
“I remember when the U.S. Foil Team was the youngest team with a lot of talent. It was hard to image the day that we would reach our potential and be the people to beat,” she said.
“Lee now Ranks #1 in the World! Congratulations for the historical results you did for yourself and team USA! Thanks to Lee and everyone who helped make this happen. Its a dream come true!,” coach Amgad Abd El-Halim Khazbak posted on Facebook moments after Kiefer’s triumph.
Kiefer’s aunt and avid supporter in Davao, Dr. Janice Bacani-Carandang, told Edge Davao: “Your Davao family is very proud of you Lee! You just keep doing one amazing thing after another. We thought then that you already reached the peak when you competed in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games and we cheered you on from halfway across the globe. But turns out you are destined for more- and now you’re ranked #1 in the world and at the top of your game! Couldn’t be prouder. We give you the same support and love we always gave. We’re always closely following your career. Keep reaching for the stars.”
Kiefer is one of only a handful of Americans to reach the top position in the world and joins Alexander Massialas who holds the World No. 1 for men’s foil.
“I am very honored to be among fencers with such amazing accomplishments. I finally feel some satisfaction with my fencing but know that I still have a lot of work to do,” Kiefer said.
For Kiefer — whose mother, Teresa (a psychiatrist), immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines as a child — fencing is family affair: Her older sister Alexandra fenced while attending Harvard University and is a former NCAA champion, while younger brother Axel is currently on the men’s foil team at Notre Dame. Kiefer’s father, Steve, a neurosurgeon, once headed the fencing team at Duke University.
In addition to Kiefer’s ascent to the top of the world rankings, the latest FIE lists have five fencers from four continents holding the top position.
While Kiefer and Massialas are the top foilists in the world, the epee positions are held by Sara Besbes (TUN) and Sanyoung Park (KOR). The No. 1 saberists are Yana Egorian (RUS) and Junghwan Kim (KOR).
