On Thursday, February 6, the New York University men's and women's fencing teams had the unique opportunity to host Romain Cannone, the 2020 Olympic Champion and 2021 World Champion, for a special speech and Q&A session.

The event, held at the newly-renovated Paulson Center Fencing Salle, brought together fencers and coaches, offering a rare glimpse into the career of one of the sport's most accomplished athletes.

Cannone shared his journey from his days at Sacred Heart University to his rise to the pinnacle of international fencing. He reflected on the challenges, triumphs, and sacrifices along the way, offering valuable insights into the dedication required to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.

Cannone expressed his enthusiasm about connecting with the next generation of fencers, particularly at New York University.

"It's a real honor to be here today with the NYU fencers," Cannone said. "Fencing has been such an important part of my life, and if I can inspire even one fencer to push themselves further, then this is a success for me. It's been exciting to learn about the vision that Head Coach (Ben) Bratton and his staff have for making New York University one of the top fencing universities in the world, and I'm happy to share my story with his athletes. We all face challenges, but persistence and dedication can take you far. I hope everyone here takes something away that helps them in their own journey."

Bratton was thrilled to welcome and introduce Cannone to the program.

"Romain is the perfect embodiment of the caliber of student-athletes we strive for at New York University, and I know his story will resonate with many of our athletes," Bratton said. "As a former student-athlete himself, Romain understands that an athletic journey doesn't have to stop at the university level, and through self-determination and belief in oneself, anything is possible. I greatly appreciate a champion of his caliber taking the time to show his support for our growing program."

The event marked an important moment for NYU Fencing, providing inspiration and valuable lessons from one of the most accomplished athletes in the world as the Violets prepare for the final leg of their season.

The squads will be competing in Chapel Hill and Durham, NC, this weekend before heading to the NCAA Regional Championships and the NCAA National Championships.