Eli Schenkel’s ardent passion for the sport is obvious the moment you meet him. Whether he’s talking to you about the kids he’s teaching at S-Class, the fencing club he founded with his brother and coach Joseph Schenkel, a new piece of content he’s added to his YouTube channel detailing a interesting and innovative way to hit, the time he caught up a World Championship medalist and won after trailing 14-7, or just his friends, who all happen to be involved in the sport one way or the other, Eli exudes a pure adulation of the sport that you don’t come across often.

Born in Los Angeles to parents Mark and Elizabeth in 1992, it wasn’t until he was 10 years old that the future Olympian would come across the activity that would one day define his life. A chance appearance in a shopping mall where fencing was taking place sparked his interest, and acquainted him with fencing. A journey that started at the LA International Fencing Center, led him the Tokyo Olympics, by way of 4 World Championships (2019, 2018, 2015, 2014), 2 Pan Am Games (Lima 2019, Toronto 2015), 4 Pan Am Championships medals (2019,2018, 2015, 2014), 2 British University and College Sports titles (2017,2018), and an NCAA All-American title (2012).

Despite all this success, Eli chooses to think about his achievements as belonging to those around him, like his coach, Misha Itkin, as well as his family. Following in their generous footsteps, Eli hopes to be able to help others achieve their goals without having to make the financial sacrifices often experienced by athletes. This is the vision that he promotes at his club S-Class, based in Vancouver, where he teaches alongside brother Joseph. Forward-thinking as he is, it’s easy to understand why Eli cites this Arthur Schopenhauer quote as his favourite: Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see.”