St. John's University Athletics
Fares Ferjani Captures Silver in the Men’s Saber Individual at the 2024 Paris Olympics
7/27/2024 5:36:00 PM | Fencing
Ferjani becomes the first Red Storm individual to medal since Daryl Homer in 2016
QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John's alum Fares Ferjani captured the silver medal in the men's saber individual for Tunisia this afternoon at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The silver medal signifies Ferjani's first in his third career Olympics. Before this year, Ferjani finished 22nd in 2020 in Tokyo and 25th in 2016 in Rio.
Ferjani now becomes the highest and only the second fencing medal winner in Tunisian Olympic history, joining Inés Boubakri, who won the bronze medal in the women's foil back in 2016.
St. John's fencing head coach Yury Gelman guided Ferjani to the podium, coaching him from the sidelines. "Fares fenced beautifully. It was his best career performance - he remained calm and followed the plan. I am really happy for him," Gelman said following the event.
The accomplishment marks the first time a Red Storm fencing alum has individually medaled since Daryl Homer secured the silver medal in the same event at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Ferjani began his run in the round of 32, defeating Korea's Bongil Gu handily by a score of 15-8. In the round of 16, Ferjani and Hungary's Csanad Gemesi went back and forth before Ferjani prevailed, 15-14.
The Carthage, Tunisia product showed resilience in the quarterfinals against China's Chengpeng Shen, rallying from a 14-11 deficit to win the bout, 15-14. In the semifinals, Ferjani downed Egypt's Ziad Elsissy, the world's top-ranked men's saber, by a score of 15-11 to advance to the finals.
In the gold medal bout, Ferjani's magical run came to an end, falling short to Korea's Sanguk Oh, who claimed the gold medal with a 15-11 victory.
Ferjani competed for the Red Storm from 2017-23. He amassed 159 victories in five seasons and was tabbed an All-American four times, including First Team honors in 2019, '22 and '23. At the NCAA Championships, he finished inside the top three twice.
The silver medal signifies Ferjani's first in his third career Olympics. Before this year, Ferjani finished 22nd in 2020 in Tokyo and 25th in 2016 in Rio.
Ferjani now becomes the highest and only the second fencing medal winner in Tunisian Olympic history, joining Inés Boubakri, who won the bronze medal in the women's foil back in 2016.
St. John's fencing head coach Yury Gelman guided Ferjani to the podium, coaching him from the sidelines. "Fares fenced beautifully. It was his best career performance - he remained calm and followed the plan. I am really happy for him," Gelman said following the event.
The accomplishment marks the first time a Red Storm fencing alum has individually medaled since Daryl Homer secured the silver medal in the same event at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Ferjani began his run in the round of 32, defeating Korea's Bongil Gu handily by a score of 15-8. In the round of 16, Ferjani and Hungary's Csanad Gemesi went back and forth before Ferjani prevailed, 15-14.
The Carthage, Tunisia product showed resilience in the quarterfinals against China's Chengpeng Shen, rallying from a 14-11 deficit to win the bout, 15-14. In the semifinals, Ferjani downed Egypt's Ziad Elsissy, the world's top-ranked men's saber, by a score of 15-11 to advance to the finals.
In the gold medal bout, Ferjani's magical run came to an end, falling short to Korea's Sanguk Oh, who claimed the gold medal with a 15-11 victory.
Ferjani competed for the Red Storm from 2017-23. He amassed 159 victories in five seasons and was tabbed an All-American four times, including First Team honors in 2019, '22 and '23. At the NCAA Championships, he finished inside the top three twice.
Players Mentioned
Saber
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