Alexander Massialas

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Alex was born and raised in San Francisco, and being of Chinese, Greek, and British descent, he’s as diverse as the city he calls home. He grew up climbing trees in the Presidio, watching the Warriors toil in mediocrity, and eating Chinese food in Richmond.

Having loved sports from a young age, Alex started soccer and swimming in elementary school, and began fencing once he hit second grade. His fascination with the Olympics started even earlier when he listened to his dad, a 3-time Olympian himself, share stories about the 2-week event, explaining the Olympic values. As a kid, he was sure to take visiting friends to see his dad's trophy case of Olympic rings, Ivy League rings, and various other prizes and trophies. He told his dad he wanted to be an Olympian before he even told him he wanted to fence.

Alex excelled at the sport from the very beginning, and has maintained a top 16 world ranking since 2012. At the 2012 Olympic Games, not only was Alex the youngest member of the men’s US Foil Team at a mere 18 years-old, but he was the youngest male across all sports for the US squad. Four years later at the 2016 Olympics, Alex became the first US male to win two medals at the same Games since 1904, earning a Silver individually and a team Bronze. Alex attended and competed at Stanford University, while earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Alex is a proud Chinese-American, growing up with a Chinese mom, attending Chinese American International School, and being immersed in Asian culture. He loves competing in Shanghai, Tokyo, and Seoul and returning to Taiwan to visit family.

When Alex isn't fencing, he loves hanging out with his friends, whether that means going to the beach, watching sports on TV, or getting a big meal. Though he’s a United Million Miler, some untouched places on his bucket list include Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Thailand, Vietnam, and Peru.

 
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Achievements

  • 3x Olympian (2012 & 2016)

  • 3x Olympic Medalist (Silver, Bronze & Bronze)

  • First U.S. male fencer to win 2 Olympic medals in a single games since 1904

  • First U.S. fencer to win a Silver medal at the Olympics since 1932

  • Member of the first U.S. Men’s Foil Team to win a Senior World Championship title (2019)

  • First U.S. foil fencer to win an individual Silver medal at Senior Worlds (2015)

  • Overall World Cup Champion (finished the season number 1 in the world) in back-to-back seasons (2016 & 2017)

  • Stanford University Alum (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering)

  • 4x NCAA All-American and 2x NCAA Champion

  • Youngest athlete to win a Division I Men’s Foil National Championship title

  • Son of 3x Olympic fencer Greg Massialas