USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In a sport that rewards resiliency, few have characterized what it means to power past the odds and prevail quite like Nicole Ross OLY.

Twice sidelined by health issues that might have ended the careers of athletes with less mental fortitude and physical strength, Ross built an impressive career that spanned more than two decades. 

Today we salute Ross as the two-time Olympian (2012 and 2020) and four-time World Championships medalist announces her retirement from competitive fencing.

Born and raised in New York City, Ross’ career in fencing was nothing short of remarkable. From her Junior & Cadet World Championship team gold in 2009 to her Senior Worlds team bronze in 2019, Ross has been a beacon of consistent performance, amassing an impressive collection of medals at the national and international levels.

Highlights include:

• 2006: Division I Nationals, individual silver

• 2009: Junior & Cadet Worlds, team gold

• 2010: Division I Nationals, individual silver

• 2010: NCAA Individual Championship (Columbia)

• 2012: Division I Nationals, individual bronze

• 2013: Division I Nationals, individual silver

• 2015: Division I Nationals, individual bronze

• 2017: Senior Worlds, team silver

• 2018: Senior Worlds, team gold

• 2018: Division I Nationals, team gold (New York Athletic Club)

• 2019: Senior Worlds, team bronze

• 2019: Division I Nationals, team gold (New York Athletic Club)

Ross started fencing at age 9 after watching The Princess Bride. She made the 2012 Olympic team a year after being diagnosed with a kidney ailment. In 2019, she tore her ACL and had reconstructive surgery in May 2020 before recovering in time for the Tokyo Games in 2021.

In her heartfelt retirement announcement on Instagram, Ross says that “for the past two years, I've been privately and quietly saying goodbye, but today I am making my retirement from competitive sport official. Goodbyes like this are especially tough, but I'm leaving at peace, and with huge amounts of gratitude.”

In true Nicole Ross fashion, the foil fencer made her Instagram post a chance to thank others rather than recount her own accolades.

“To my parents, family, friends, teammates, training partners, coaches, doctors, trainers, and competitors — you've made every moment special, and so worth it,” she writes. “My wildest dreams were only possible because of you.”

USA Fencing celebrates the tremendous contributions of Ross, a fencer who pushed the boundaries of excellence and inspired countless aspiring fencers through her actions on and off the strip. Her retirement is marked with not just accolades and awards, but a legacy of hard work, determination and unwavering commitment.

While her professional journey in fencing concludes, Ross has left an indelible mark on the sport. 

"Fencing gave me the confidence and power to be the truest and most authentic version of me,” she writes. “That gift is one I'll cherish and hold onto forever."