Fencing remains an underrepresented sport within the Black community, particularly for women, due to limited access, exposure, and cultural barriers that prioritize more mainstream sports. Despite its underrepresentation, Harvard student athlete and Queens native Lauren Scruggs recently made history at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics by becoming the first Black U.S. athlete to win an individual fencing medal, earning silver in women’s foil. Additionally, Scruggs won a gold medal for the U.S. in the women’s team foil and believes she is positively representing fencing for the Black community.
“I think my success in fencing has helped break stereotypes about what Black people can do and who can be a fencer,” she told ABC News.
Scruggs is a highly accomplished foil fencer with impressive achievements on both national and international stages. At the 2023 World Championships, she placed fourth in team foil and 25th in individual foil. Scruggs has participated in three World Championships (2018, 2019, and 2023) and has earned a gold medal in the 2019 individual foil event.
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As a sophomore during the 2022-23 school year, she dominated the NCAA circuit by becoming the NCAA Women’s Foil Champion with a perfect 36-0 record. Lauren has consistently excelled since her first year at Harvard, earning numerous accolades including First Team All-America and multiple regional and Ivy League titles.
Before college, she made history as the youngest U.S. foil fencer to win the Junior World Championship and has collected several gold and silver medals in international competitions.
A unique trait Scruggs carries is volunteering and her involvement in community service. She is a leader and mentor within her New York community with the Peter Westbrook Foundation. The Peter Westbrook Foundation is a program that teaches fencing to individuals who come from impoverished and low-income neighborhoods.
Becoming an Olympic world champion, Scruggs strives to motivate and show the Black community that it is possible to achieve within the sport of fencing.
“ In certain communities, fencing is just not a sport you do,” she told NBC News. “So I would say to those people who are in those communities and who are interested in fencing: Do what you want to do … and follow your passion.”
