Star Fencer Leads South Africans Return to the Olympics

Photo Credit: Shared by St Stithians

No one is on the fence about Harry Saner’s talent in fencing. The star fencer has successfully qualified for the Olympics, marking a triumphant comeback for the country as the first fencer who will represent South Africa in the sport in almost two decades:

Johannesburg, South Africa (21 May 2024) — Star Fencer Harry Saner has given South Africans another sport to root for as the countdown to the Paris Olympics clocks on, thanks to his victory at the African qualifiers last in Algeria! Needless to say, no one is on the fence about Harry Saner’s talent in fencing.

For fencing fans, this is far from an individual achievement, but rather one for the country as it marks the first time South Africa will be represented in the Olympics for fencing since 2008’s Beijing showdown.

And for the school, Harry has been trained at—the Tyshler Fencing School—this sentiment of collaborative achievement is echoed, as the entire team were not necessarily given the opportunity to qualify due to financial reasons often associated with participation in global competition, per Daily Maverick.

Nonetheless, Harry’s lone-wolf representation and determination to strike victory at the Games could mark a revival of public interest in the sport so that more young fencers might be afforded the chance to compete in competitive events.

A former St Stithians College learner who trains the news has naturally brought great pride to his old school and university along with the rest of the country.

“With this achievement, Harry, a final-year Wits University mechanical engineering student has made history,” St Stithians College shared.

The twenty-three-year-old joins a long list of South African athletes preparing for July, with South African fingers permanently crossed that there will be even more to come in the near future.