The five-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist was one of the best fencers in the world. Here, Anja Fichtel looks back on her career and says what she would like to pass on to young athletes.
Mrs. Fichtel, your oldest grandchildren are five and four years old. Are you trying to get them interested in fencing?
Yes, my son Laurin is also a passionate fencer and works as a trainer at the state center in Tauberbischofsheim. Once a week, the two of them go to children’s gymnastics there. It takes place next to the fencing piste so that even the youngest children can develop a connection to fencing as early as possible and get the urge to start themselves later.
In 1985, at the age of 17, you became the youngest fencing world champion of all time. What was it like to suddenly be famous?
Not so easy. A lot was written about me, I often received invitations to events. That was nice, but also exhausting. Not everyone was happy for my success, and I also felt jealousy.
Source: Stern
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