Penn State has its first Rio Games medal winner, as fencer Miles Chamley-Watson won the bronze Friday in the men’s team foil competition.
Chamley-Watson and his United States teammates — Gerek Meinhardt, Alexander Massialas, and Race Imboden — captured the bronze thanks to a 45-31 win over Italy. Russia took home gold after defeating France 45-41.
Born in London, Chamley-Watson moved to New York City at the age of 8 and later to Philadelphia. The 26-year-old was a key contributor for Penn State from 2008-2012, winning the 2008-09 NCAA Team National Championship. He made it to his second individual foil semifinals in a row as a sophomore, only to be defeated by Meinhardt, who fenced for Notre Dame.
Chamley-Watson would later qualify for his hometown 2012 London Games as a member of Team USA. Though he suffered an early exit in the second round four years ago, Chamley-Watson bounced back to claim the 2013 Individual Foil Championship before making his second Olympic team this summer. He’s been considered one of the world’s premier fencers for over eight years.
.@MChamleyWatson wins #bronze with @USAFencing! He’s the first Nittany Lion to medal at #Rio2016. #WeAre #PSURio pic.twitter.com/xmWVr4GgBk
— Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) August 12, 2016
BRONZE!!! They did it! 45-31 over Italy! pic.twitter.com/5mehDs4q1k
— USA Fencing (@USAFencing) August 12, 2016
