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 seven. "I was doing it for fun until around 14 when I beat the Hungarian No. 1 at that time, and realised that this is serious, for real."

Why this sport?

"When I first tried [fencing], I felt like 'this is me'. Fencing is not only about physical or technical capabilities, it's also about mind games. It's not the fastest or the strongest who wins. It's the one who can put the whole cake together."

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 began fencing in grade four of primary school.

Why this sport?

His mother forced him to go to a fencing lesson. "I didn't really want to go, but my mother made me because it was run by a friend of hers and they wanted more students. But, after the class, I loved it and wanted to continue."

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.