PORTLAND, Ore. — Magda Skarbonkiewicz is living a dream. She's part of the U.S. saber fencing team going to the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris in July.
Fencing is in her blood.
"From the very beginning, I was sort of born into a fencing family," Skarbonkiewicz said. "My dad almost made the Olympics in 1996. He didn't have his citizenship in time, so he wasn't able to compete for Team USA because he originally came from Poland."
Skarbonkiewicz, 18, has been fencing since she was 6, training at the Oregon Fencing Alliance in Portland and coached by her dad. When she was 13 years old, he gave her a choice: compete nationally or go all in and try to make it to the biggest stage.
"So that's when I was like, OK, I’m going to take that route because there's potential there," she said. "I wanted to see how far it could get me. Even though it was more of a different childhood than other people, but it was worth it."
She's not the first fencer from the Oregon Fencing Alliance to excel on the world stage. Olympic gold medalist Mariel Zagunis trains here. She's featured on the champions wall and is well known to Skarbonkiewicz.
"I used to train with Mariel when I was 12 (or) 13, before her last Olympics," she said. "Just a huge inspiration being able to not only connect the face with the name, but to be able to see her in person. See the work ethic and what it takes to be a champion definitely drove me to try and be one also."
The Olympics won't be the first time Skarbonkiewicz has represented the U.S. in international competition. In the fall of 2023, she won gold at the Pan American Games, helping her qualify for the Olympics. She knows what it feels like to be on the medal podium and said it's special.
"I remember standing on the podium looking up at (the) flag and I just couldn't stop smiling," Skarbonkiewicz said. "My dad came here looking for all his goals and dreams. He said he could accomplish anything here, be anything here, and I get to follow those footsteps."
There's still more competition before the Olympic games. Skarbonkiewicz goes to Saudi Arabia next week to compete in the Junior World Championships.