By Beth Barhydt
With the all United States individual women’s event competing for gold at the Olympics, the sport has captured the spotlight and imagination of athletes all over the country.
Lee Kiefer recently made history by winning back-to-back gold medals in foil fencing. Her teammate, Lauren Scruggs, secured the silver.
Here in Greenwich, Ruth Mund, a rising junior at Greenwich High School is a distinguished saber fencer in her own right. She recently took her passion for fencing beyond national borders to Benin, West Africa. During her spring break, Ruth conducted a fencing workshop for local athletes, an initiative that not only showcased her skills but also fostered cultural exchange and mutual respect.
The opportunity arose when Jacques Okoumassoun, the president of the Beninese Fencing Federation, reached out to Ruth. Despite her initial apprehensions about her ability to contribute meaningfully, Ruth decided to embrace the challenge. “I was the same age as most of the fencers, and some were even older than me,” she reflected. “What would I have to offer? I wanted to politely decline.”
Ruth’s commitment to giving back, inspired by the support she had received throughout her fencing journey, spurred her to take on the responsibility. She collected extra equipment from friends and receive d donations of sabers, masks, and gloves from Absolute Fencing, ensuring that the Beninese fencers had the necessary gear for the workshop.
Planning the workshop proved to be a meticulous process. “The head coach told me to organize the workshop however I wanted,” Ruth said. “This was especially nerve-wracking because creating an effective plan was my responsibility.” She spent countless hours devising a comprehensive training plan, incorporating key aspects of fencing practices she had attended over the years.
Upon arrival, Ruth was greeted by enthusiastic participants ranging in age from 7 to 20. Despite a moment of self-doubt, she quickly connected with the fencers, realizing they were just like her, passionate about the sport. The workshop’s success was evident in the participants’ appreciation. “Many of them shared how important it was to them that an American was willing to come from so far away to support their dreams,” she recounted to Bryan Wendell of USA Fencing.
Ruth’s experience in Benin was transformative, teaching her profound lessons about integrity and the power of commitment. “For some people, helping others is just something to check a box or fill space on a college application,” she wrote. “Through this experience, I have learned that it is much more than that. It is not about outside validation, but instead about connecting with and impacting people who, in reality, are just like you.”
The connections made during the workshop have persisted beyond her visit. Ruth remains in touch with many of the fencers, following their progress in tournaments and responding to requests for more equipment and training videos. “Although it will take effort, I know I will keep these relationships alive,” she affirmed.
Ruth’s dedication to fencing and community service has not gone unnoticed. She was recently named to the 2023-24 USA Fencing High School All-American First Team, an accolade recognizing her achievements and potential in the sport.
Ruth’s is now mobilizing fellow fencers to create training videos for the Beninese athletes.
Ruth’s story is a compelling reminder of the impact one individual can have with dedication, empathy, and the desire to bridge cultural gaps.
How to Get Involved
To support Ruth’s ongoing efforts, the international fencing community is encouraged to contribute in several ways:
Equipment Donations: Fencers can donate gear at the Absolute Fencing booth at any USA Fencing national tournament.
Training Videos: The Beninese fencers would benefit from detailed instructional videos, especially in saber and epee. Videos in French are particularly useful. These can be uploaded to YouTube and shared with Ruth at mundruthm@gmail.com.
Coaching Support: Experienced coaches can offer their expertise to train other coaches in Benin, enhancing the local coaching capabilities.
