This U.S. fencer is in the Olympics thanks to Star Wars

As a fellow gamer and fan of both Star Wars and sports, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of admiration for Mitchell Saron. His journey from backyard stick fights to representing the United States in the Paris 2024 Olympics is nothing short of extraordinary.

22-year-old Mitchell Saron, formerly of Ridgewood High School and now a Harvard University graduate, majored in economics and holds a strong affection for sports, much like many other young Americans today. Interestingly enough, his love for Star Wars has paved an unusual path for him – representing the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympics in both Men’s sabre and Men’s team sabre competitions.

Raised on Star Wars

According to NorthJersey.com, a Filipino-American athlete was significantly impacted by certain movies during his upbringing.

As a little kid, it was Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings that drew me to fencing. I still think there’s nothing cooler than being a Jedi.

As a gamer, I’ve come across a character who carries an air of legend, echoing the mythic Skywalker lineage. His great-grandfather, in his own right, was a champion of justice, standing tall as a beacon against the darkness.

The family story goes that my grandmother’s dad, a swordsman, was defending his town from a bully and killed him. He had to run away to protect himself… Sadly, he never did return. He was literally fighting for his family’s honor. Over a century later, I get to figuratively fight for my country on the world’s greatest stage. I am super proud of my Filipino heritage and my family’s story.

Initially, he enjoyed playing with sticks in the yard, but later, his passion led him to rigorous fencing training, which culminated in his remarkable victory at the North American Cup at just ten years old.

“You would rival Master Yoda as a swordsman.”

When it comes to their fighting technique, Saron observes that characters like Count Dooku from Star Wars resemble Olympic saber fencers in the way they hold and wield their weapons.

In a more lighthearted manner, one might say: Unlike his Sith peers, he’s known for his cheerful demeanor and love for food fights, earning the nickname “All-American sandwich flinger.” During high school, he was part of the Entrepreneurship Club which proved beneficial during his time at Harvard. His athletic prowess is noteworthy; he was a three-time All-Ivy League player, once an All-American, and even won an NCAA championship.

We are confident the Force will be with this young knight as he competes in the 2024 games.

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2024-08-02 18:51