When and where did you begin this sport?

She began fencing at junior high school in Geumsan County, Republic of Korea.

Why this sport?

Her physical education teacher suggested the sport to her.

When and where did you begin this sport?

He began fencing at age six in Tanta, Egypt.

Why this sport?

"I loved the sport and it became a part of me. When you are fencing, you're free. You can express yourself in a different way."

When and where did you begin this sport?

She began fencing at age six after watching her father fence at a local competition. "My siblings and I thought the sport was strange and interesting-appearing, so my dad started teaching us the basics in our empty dining room and taking us to a club twice a week that was 1.5 hours away from where we lived."

Why this sport?

She and her brother and sister followed their father, Steve Kiefer, into the sport. "Growing up my dad decided that he wanted to take up fencing again. He hadn't picked up a foil in 10 or 15 years, and me and my siblings watched him compete at a local tournament. Then he asked if we wanted to try it, and we said yes. Twenty years later I'm still doing it."

When and where did you begin this sport?

He took up the sport in the fourth grade at primary school.

Why this sport?

"My parents were both basketball players, so it was only natural I followed in their footsteps during my early years. All the basketball classes were suspended during the long holidays when I was probably in primary four. My father asked if I would be interested in taking a fencing course so that I could get some exercise and kill some time during the break. I thought about it for a while before saying yes."

When and where did you begin this sport?

She began fencing at age nine.

Why this sport?

She was encouraged to try the sport by her parents, and went to a fencing class where her father coached. She took up foil in grade three of primary school, but competed in sabre at a competition which had a prize of a jigsaw puzzle. She then switched to sabre before starting middle school.

When and where did you begin this sport?

He began the sport at age 12 in Marseille, France.

Why this sport?

He followed his older brother into the sport. "I had no idea what fencing was. I would go to competitions with our father and I met a trainer, who has since become a close friend, and he proposed that I try it for a week. I did three or four sessions and after that there was a local competition that I won. I didn't even know about the difference in weapons, all I knew was the sabre because that's what was in our house. Looking back, destiny was kind because this weapon suits my character."