Farès Ferjani
Tunisian Olympic fencer (born 1997)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Farès Ferjani (born 22 July 1997) is a Tunisian sabre fencer and Olympic silver medalist. Known for his explosive athleticism and tactical precision, he represents Tunisia in international competition and is regarded as one of the most accomplished African fencers of his generation. Ferjani won the silver medal in the men’s individual sabre at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the first Tunisian fencer to reach an Olympic final.
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 22 July 1997 Tunis, Tunisia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fencing career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University team | St. John’s University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Fencing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country |  Tunisia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weapon | Sabre | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hand | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Manhattan Fencing Center | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Head coach | Yury Gelman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A multiple African champion and African Games gold medalist, Ferjani has earned numerous continental titles and remains one of Africa’s most decorated fencers. He fenced collegiately for St. John’s University in New York, where he was named an All-American.
Personal life
Ferjani was born in Tunis, Tunisia. He studied and fenced for St. John’s University in New York, becoming an All-American athlete. He continues to train at the Manhattan Fencing Center under renowned coach Yury Gelman.
Fencing career
He competed in the men's sabre event at the 2016 Summer Olympics, finishing in 25th place.[1][2]
After the 2016 Olympic Games he moved to New York City after speaking with coach Yury Gelman.[3] He said: "it was a big difference. The practice was different. These guys do a lot of footwork. Everything counts, each detail counts. I think for me, it's just great that I moved there because I've jumped to another level."[3]
He attended and competed for St. John’s University in Queens in New York City, training with coach Yury Gelman.[3][4] In 2017-18 he was a second team All-American for the school, and in 2018-19, 2021–22, and 2022–23 he was a first team All-American.[5]
He qualified to represent Tunisia at the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he came in 22nd.[6]
Ferjani won a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the men's sabre individual event, with Gelman coaching him from the sidelines.[7][8]
His fencing club is the Manhattan Fencing Center in the United States, and his coach is Yury Gelman.[3]
Decoration
First Class of the National Order of Merit (Tunisia, 16 August 2024)[9][10]
