Margherita Granbassi

Margherita Granbassi (born 1 September 1979) is an Italian foil fencer. She is known for her amazing skills and strong performances in international competitions.

In 2006, Granbassi won the gold medal at the foil 2006 World Fencing Championships. She beat her compatriot Valentina Vezzali with a score of 7–6 in the final match. She also helped her team win a silver medal in the team event, alongside teammates Vezzali, Elisa Di Francisca, and Giovanna Trillini.

Granbassi continued to shine at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. On August 11, she won a bronze medal after defeating her teammate Giovanna Trillini with a score of 15–12. Her achievements have made her a proud representative of Italian fencing.

Early life

Margherita Granbassi was born on 1 September 1979 in Trieste, Italy. Her family were Istrian Italian exiles from Pisino. Her grandfather moved to Trieste from Pisino to study and later stayed there. Granbassi has said that her family always felt connected to their Istrian Italian roots.

Career

Margherita Granbassi began fencing because her brothers also fenced, and her first teacher was Silvia Strukel. She started in Trieste and later trained in Udine for 11 years. Her mother drove her there every day, and Margherita listened to recorded school lessons on an audio cassette. In 1991, she won her first Italian title, and in 1996, she won gold medals at the Italian Under-17 and Under-20 championships.

She continued to win many titles, including the World Under-20 Championship in 1998 and 1999. Margherita joined the Italian national team and went to the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. She later won several medals in European and World Fencing Championships. In 2006, she won gold at the 2006 World Fencing Championships in the individual foil event. She also won two bronze medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics, one in individual foil and one in team foil.

Personal life

Margherita Granbassi has a daughter with her former partner Jacques Petrillo. She identifies as Roman Catholic.