USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The 2022-2023 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Awards recognized four fencing organizations striving to make a difference in their community. This year the Mariel Zagunis Women’s Advancement Award was earned by the Valkyrie Fencing Club.

“I’m immensely proud of the work Julie and her team are doing at Valkyrie. USA Fencing is continuously working to increase the representation of women throughout our sport as athletes, coaches, officials, and staff. Valkyrie is doing the work who are intentional about engaging women and youth girls, ” said Shannon Jolly, Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

The award was created in recognition of Mariel Zagunis and her tremendous contributions to women’s advancement in the sport of fencing. Zagunis is a decorated American saber fencer who is a five-time Olympian, and four-time Olympic medalist (two golds, two bronzes). She is the first American fencer to medal at three Olympic games (2004, 2008, and 2016).

In her outstanding career as an athlete, Zagunis also supports the development of the next generation of women’s saber fencers through her work with Mariel Zagunis Women’s Saber Fund.

The club is honoring the trail blazed by Zagunis as they are aiming to increase local participation for women in all three weapons. They are a club that is specifically focusing on empowering women to compete in saber. Saber is the weapon category that provides some of the highest rates of success with international female athlete results, but it is still primarily dominated by male competitors and leadership. In their goal to empower women in the sport, they are changing the competition field to include women in all aspects, especially saber.

“We are so excited to receive this distinction for the Mariel Zagunis Women’s Advancement Award! We have really tried hard to reach out to the women of our community from the beginning, starting with our club name. There were more than a few raised eyebrows when we decided to use a feminine warrior theme in our little conservative town (Pleasant Grove, UT).  So many people were worried that “Valkyrie” would detract from our male participation. Some were worried we wouldn’t be able to make it financially with such a direct appeal to girls. I thought about how many times I have been on teams with names that were geared towards boys, and we girls managed to be ok. I just believed that if we could reach out to the young ladies, then the boys would show up. It worked!,” said Julie Seal, owner of Valkyrie Fencing. 

The Valkyrie Fencing Club was given its name with a “purposeful intent of appealing to young ladies in the community who have not found a martial art or other pathways to combat sports that promises women safety and genuine consideration for their athletic and development.”

“Our women’s participation is more than triple what it was and so many of our new athletes are girls under 12. We are thrilled with their excitement and potential in this wonderful sport. We are grateful to Mariel for leading the charge for USA Women’s Fencing and for all the incredible women in USA Fencing who inspire us all. Thank you sincerely for giving back to our community so generously,” said Seal.

The club is actively promoting female athletes in all aspects of fencing, including public presentation and promotion. Female athletes at the club are featured prominently on the building, the website, and promotional media to continue the legacy blazed by Zagunis.