MOELLHAUSEN Nathalie

Personal Information

Residence Paris, FRA

Occupation Artist, Athlete, Business Owner

Languages English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

Higher education Philosophy - Sorbonne University: Paris, FRA

License number 01121985000

Club Esporte Clube Pinheiros

Upcoming Events

Sport Specific Information

When and where did you begin this sport? She first tried the sport at age five at school in Milan, Italy. At age nine she began training at a local gym.

Why this sport? A local fencing club sent instructors to her school to give a demonstration.

Club / Team Esporte Clube Pinheiros [BRA] / Levallois Sporting Club [FRA]:

Name of coach Georges Karam [Levallois], FRA

Training Regime She trains six days per week. She combines her fencing training with dancing, boxing, and martial arts.

Handedness Left

General Interest

Hobbies Playing the guitar, art. (uol.com.br, 27 Nov 2020)

Memorable sporting achievement Winning gold in individual epee at the 2019 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. (EBC na Rede YouTube channel, 18 Jul 2019)

Most influential person in career Her father. (EBC na Rede YouTube channel, 18 Jul 2019)

Hero / Idol Swiss tennis player Roger Federer. (cob.org.br, 01 Aug 2016)

Injuries At age 24 she was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy and was away from the sport for about three months. (oglobo.globo.com, 16 Aug 2020)

Sporting philosophy / motto "Be your own hero." (RFI Brasil Facebook page, 12 Mar 2024)

Awards and honours She and swimmer Guilherme Costa were flag bearers for Brazil at the opening ceremony of the 2022 South American Games in Asuncion, Paraguay. (perolacapixaba.com.br, 30 Sep 2022)

In 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022 she was named Fencer of the Year by the Brazilian Olympic Committee [COB]. (cbte.org.br, 01 Feb 2023; sjc.sp.gov.br, 08 Dec 2021; placar.abril.com.br, 01 Nov 2019; cbesgrima.org.br, 23 Feb 2018)

Milestones She became the first fencer representing Brazil to claim a world title by winning gold in individual epee at the 2019 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. (SportsDeskOnline, 14 Apr 2020; gazetaesportiva.com, 19 Jul 2019)

Ambitions To win a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. (ge.globo.com, 15 Sep 2023)

Other information FROM ITALY TO BRAZIL
Her mother is Italian-Brazilian and her father was Italian-German. Having represented Italy at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, she accepted an offer from the Brazilian Fencing Federation [GTP] in January 2014 to represent Brazil. "I grew up with this international mentality. I didn't have any limits. It allows me to send a message to everybody, to respect their own origins, education and their own resources to succeed and to make the best out of themselves. That's the most important thing." (uol.com.br, 27 Nov 2020; olimpiadatododia.com.br, 09 Oct 2019; nathaliemoellhausen.com, 13 May 2015)

DEDICATION
She dedicated the gold medal she won at the 2019 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, to her father, who passed away in 2018. "He was my biggest fan and support in life. He taught me that if you believe in a dream, anything is possible. To go until the end and it doesn't matter when success may happen in life, the most important thing is to never give up. I never gave up because I knew I couldn't give up as this result was important for him. So I dedicate this medal to him, who surely was beside me, enjoying this magical result." (gazetaesportiva.com, 19 Jul 2019; EBC na Rede YouTube channel, 18 Jul 2019)

PERSONAL BRAND
In 2020 she launched '5touches', an online platform through which she promotes fencing through art and style. "My project is not only about teaching fencing, but also using fencing as a tool for children and young people to understand their mind and to learn through it. I hope to expand people's perspective on fencing, turning my sport into my art and lifestyle. For me life is like a fencing piste, an initial journey that starts with self learning and mastership through to the transmission of this experience to others." (5touches.com, 01 Jan 2021; uol.com.br, 27 Nov 2020)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
She was employed as the artistic director for the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Championships in Paris, France. She also competed at the event. Following the 2012 Olympic Games in London, she took a two-year break from fencing in order to focus on her career outside of sport. In 2013 she worked as the art director for the 100th Anniversary Gala of the International Fencing Federation [FIE] in Paris, France. In 2018 she returned as art director for the FIE's 105th Anniversary celebrations. In 2023 she collaborated with Brazilian artist Kobra to sell fencing masks decorated with Kobra's work as part of a charitable project that aims to help children get involved in the sport. (glamurama.uol.com.br, 17 Dec 2023; pianetascherma.com, 07 Dec 2018; srzd.com, 28 Nov 2018; LinkedIn profile, 01 Jan 2016; nathaliemoellhausen.com, 13 May 2015)

CATWALK
She has combined fencing with modelling and worked for Italian designer Alberta Ferretti. "Everything I do in fashion is related to fencing. My idea is to develop fencing as not just a sport, but as an artistic form, like fashion." (eurosport.co.uk, 07 Aug 2016)

FILM
She is the subject of a documentary film released in 2023 titled 'Touche', which is directed by Italian filmmaker Martina Moor. "I hope the film inspires the next generation to fight for their dreams." (ge.globo.com, 15 Sep 2023)