Christian d'Oriola
Encyclopedia
Christian D'Oriola was a noted French
foil fencer
named "Fencer of the 20th Century" by the FIE, the International Fencing Federation, in 2001.
Born in Perpignan
, France
, he was World Champion four times (1947, 1949, 1953, and 1954), and twice Olympic Champion (1952, 1956) in the foil individual events. At the 1948 Olympics
, at the age of 19, he won a team gold medal and an individual silver medal in foil. At the 1952 Olympics
he won gold medals in both the team and individual foil competitions, winning all ten bouts in the team events. In 1956, at the Olympics
he again won a gold medal in individual foil, while winning a silver medal in team foil. He was also four time team world champion (1948, 1952, 1953, 1954). Aged 42 he became French champion in the team sabre event in 1970. He is a first cousin of the equestrian Pierre Jonquères d'Oriola
. In 1972, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor.
In 2001, the FIE listed the qualities that made Christian d'Oriola "Fencer of the 20th Century": "The speed of his hand, his prodigious technique, his light but devastatingly quick footwork, his instantaneous reactions, his inventiveness and his ability to adapt perfectly from "academic" (non-electric) to electric foil—all this means that Christian d’Oriola remains a model for his successors past and present."
Noting the aesthetic component of his fencing, the FIE stated: "Christian d’Oriola was fencing perfection personified as no-one else has ever been…"
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
foil fencer
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
named "Fencer of the 20th Century" by the FIE, the International Fencing Federation, in 2001.
Born in Perpignan
Perpignan
-Sport:Perpignan is a rugby stronghold: their rugby union side, USA Perpignan, is a regular competitor in the Heineken Cup and seven times champion of the Top 14 , while their rugby league side plays in the engage Super League under the name Catalans Dragons.-Culture:Since 2004, every year in the...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, he was World Champion four times (1947, 1949, 1953, and 1954), and twice Olympic Champion (1952, 1956) in the foil individual events. At the 1948 Olympics
Fencing at the 1948 Summer Olympics
At the 1948 Summer Olympics, seven fencing events were contested, six for men and one for women.-Medal summary:-Medal table:-Participating nations:A total of 294 fencers from 30 nations competed at the London Games:...
, at the age of 19, he won a team gold medal and an individual silver medal in foil. At the 1952 Olympics
Fencing at the 1952 Summer Olympics
At the 1952 Summer Olympics, seven fencing events were contested, six for men and one for women.-Medal summary:-Medal table:-Participating nations:A total of 286 fencers from 32 nations competed at the Helsikni Games:...
he won gold medals in both the team and individual foil competitions, winning all ten bouts in the team events. In 1956, at the Olympics
Fencing at the 1956 Summer Olympics
At the 1956 Summer Olympics, seven fencing events were contested, six for men and one for women.-Medal summary:-Medal table:-Participating nations:A total of 165 fencers from 23 nations competed at the Melbourne Games:...
he again won a gold medal in individual foil, while winning a silver medal in team foil. He was also four time team world champion (1948, 1952, 1953, 1954). Aged 42 he became French champion in the team sabre event in 1970. He is a first cousin of the equestrian Pierre Jonquères d'Oriola
Pierre Jonquères d'Oriola
Pierre Jonquères d'Oriola was a French equestrian, who competed in the sport of show jumping. He was born in Corneilla-del-Vercol, Pyrénées-Orientales....
. In 1972, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor.
In 2001, the FIE listed the qualities that made Christian d'Oriola "Fencer of the 20th Century": "The speed of his hand, his prodigious technique, his light but devastatingly quick footwork, his instantaneous reactions, his inventiveness and his ability to adapt perfectly from "academic" (non-electric) to electric foil—all this means that Christian d’Oriola remains a model for his successors past and present."
Noting the aesthetic component of his fencing, the FIE stated: "Christian d’Oriola was fencing perfection personified as no-one else has ever been…"