PARIS, France — Magda Skarbonkiewicza is an 18-year-old fencer from Beaverton who has taken the fencing world by storm and is now participating in her first Olympic Games.
Skarbonkiewicza will be attending Notre Dame next year, however she trains in Beaverton with her dad, who has helped her discipline herself with a strong work ethic and become one of the best fencers in the world.
"My dad always tells me, 'Who wants it more? Who wants to win?' Mentally, I set myself up, OK, just balance it out, don't overthink it," Skarbonkiewicza said.
Skarbonkiewicza's dad, Adam, qualified for the Olympics in 1996, but was unable to convert his citizenship in time. Now she is ready to represent her family at her first Olympics.
"I like that with saber, I can be myself on the strip even though it's a sport and you're conditioned to different movements or actions, but it's also like physical chess they call it," Skarbonkiewicza said.
In the past two years, Skarbonkiewicza has won three gold medals, taking home first place at the Junior World Championships in 2022 and 2023, and winning gold at the Pan American games in 2023. Skarbonkiewicza credits her training to be a champion not only from her dad, but also from two-time Olympic gold medalist Mariel Zagunis.
"(She's) just a huge, huge inspiration to not only connect the face with the name, but be able to see her in person, see the work ethic of what it takes to be a champion," Skarbonkiewicza said.
Skarbonkiewicza is ready to bring home gold at the Paris Olympics and prove that even at a young age she is one of the best of the best.
Women's fencing begins July 27, where Skarbonkiewicza will be going for gold.