Farès Ferjani

Farès Ferjani ( born 22 July 1997) is a Tunisian sabre fencer and Olympic silver medalist. Known for his explosive athleticism and tactical precision, he represents Tunisia in international competition and is regarded as one of the most accomplished African fencers of his generation. Ferjani won the silver medal in the men’s individual sabre at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the first Tunisian fencer to reach an Olympic final.

Farès Ferjani

Personal information
Born	(1997-07-22) 22 July 1997 (age 28) Tunis, Tunisia
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	180 lb (82 kg)
Fencing career
University team	St. John’s University
Sport	Fencing
Country	Tunisia
Weapon	Sabre
Hand	Right-handed
Club	Manhattan Fencing Center
Head coach	Yury Gelman
Medal record Fencing Representing  Tunisia Olympic Games 2024 Paris Men’s Individual Sabre African Games 2015 Brazzaville Individual Sabre 2019 Rabat Individual Sabre African Championships 2017 Cairo Individual Sabre 2018 Tunis Individual Sabre 2022 Casablanca Individual Sabre 2023 Cairo Team Sabre Arab Games 2024 Algiers Individual Sabre

A multiple African champion and African Games gold medalist, Ferjani has earned numerous continental titles and remains one of Africa’s most decorated fencers. He fenced collegiately for St. John’s University in New York, where he was named an All-American.

Personal life

Ferjani was born in Tunis, Tunisia. He studied and fenced for St. John’s University in New York, becoming an All-American athlete. He continues to train at the Manhattan Fencing Center under renowned coach Yury Gelman.

Fencing career

He competed in the men's sabre event at the 2016 Summer Olympics, finishing in 25th place.^[1][2]

After the 2016 Olympic Games he moved to New York City after speaking with coach Yury Gelman.^[3] He said: "it was a big difference. The practice was different. These guys do a lot of footwork. Everything counts, each detail counts. I think for me, it's just great that I moved there because I've jumped to another level."^[3]

He attended and competed for St. John’s University in Queens in New York City, training with coach Yury Gelman.^[3][4] In 2017-18 he was a second team All-American for the school, and in 2018-19, 2021-22, and 2022-23 he was a first team All-American.^[5]

He qualified to represent Tunisia at the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he came in 22nd.^[6]

Ferjani won a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the men's sabre individual event, with Gelman coaching him from the sidelines.^[7][8]

His fencing club is the Manhattan Fencing Center in the United States, and his coach is Yury Gelman.^[3]

Decoration

• First Class of the National Order of Merit (Tunisia, 16 August 2024)^[9][10]