Aida Shanayeva

1.1. Birth and Family

Aida Shanayeva was born on 23 April 1986, in Vladikavkaz, which was then known as Ordzhonikidze, located in the North Ossetian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of the RSFSR, Soviet Union. Her father was a military officer.

1.2. Early Sports and Fencing Introduction

During her childhood, Shanayeva engaged in various sports, including gymnastics and volleyball. Her first encounter with fencing occurred in 1996 in Vladikavkaz, where she began her training under the guidance of Fiala Kadzova (Фиала Кадзова_{Fiala Kadzova}^Russian). Following Kadzova's recommendation, Shanayeva joined the CSKA Moscow sports club, where she continued her development under the tutelage of Vladimir Ivanov (Владимир Иванов_{Vladimir Ivanov}^Russian), who had previously coached Kadzova herself.

2.1. National Junior Team Selection

In 2002, Aida Shanayeva was selected to represent the Russian U-17 (under-17) national women's foil team. This marked her initial foray into international competitive fencing at a significant level.

2.2. Junior Competition Results

Shanayeva quickly demonstrated her potential in junior events. In April 2002, she competed at the World Youth Championships held in Antalya, Turkey, where she secured a 6th-place finish in the individual event. Later that year, in November, she participated in the European Junior Championships in Conegliano, Italy, achieving an 8th-place finish in the individual competition and earning a silver medal in the team event.

3.1. Senior National Team Debut

In 2002, the same year she was part of the U-17 national team, Aida Shanayeva was also selected for the Russian senior national fencing team. Her debut in senior international competition took place in December 2002 at the Russian Cup tournament in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

3.2. Olympic Games

Shanayeva's Olympic career is marked by two team foil medals. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, she won a gold medal in the women's team foil event. Her teammates in this victorious campaign were Svetlana Boyko, Viktoriya Nikishina, and Yevgeniya Lamonova, as they defeated the United States in the final. Four years later, at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Shanayeva earned a silver medal in the women's team foil event.

3.3. World Championships

Aida Shanayeva has an impressive record at the World Fencing Championships, securing four gold and four silver medals across individual and team events.

Her first World Championship gold came in the team foil event at the 2006 World Fencing Championships in Turin, where the Russian team, including teammates Svetlana Boyko, Julia Khakimova, and Ianna Rouzavina, defeated the USA in the final. She followed this with a team silver in 2007 in Saint Petersburg. In 2009 in Antalya, Shanayeva achieved a significant milestone by winning an individual foil gold medal, in addition to a team silver. She continued her team success with another gold at the 2011 in Catania. In 2015 in Moscow, she earned two silver medals, one in the individual foil and another in the team foil event. Her final World Championship gold medal was in the team foil at the 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

3.4. European Championships

Shanayeva has also been a consistent medalist at the European Fencing Championships, collecting two gold, four silver, and two bronze medals.

Her European Championship medal haul began with a team silver in 2007 in Ghent. She secured her first European gold in the team foil at the 2009 in İzmir, also winning a team silver in Plovdiv the same year. Shanayeva added team bronze medals in 2010 in Leipzig and 2012 in Legnano, and a team silver in 2011 in Sheffield. Her final European Championship medals came in 2016 in Toruń, where she earned an individual foil silver and a team foil gold.

4.1. Weapon and Stance

Shanayeva's primary weapon in fencing is the foil. She is right-handed, a characteristic that influences her technique and approach in bouts. She stands at 5.7 ft ^{(1.73 m)} tall and weighs 137 lb ^{(62 kg)}.

4.2. Club Affiliation

Aida Shanayeva has been affiliated with CSKA Moscow, a prominent Russian sports club, throughout much of her career. She received coaching from Vladimir Ivanov, who was her initial coach after joining CSKA, and later also worked under national coach Stefano Cerioni.

5.1. Contributions to Russian Fencing

Shanayeva's consistent medal-winning performances at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships have significantly contributed to the success and reputation of Russian fencing on the international stage. Her achievements, particularly in team events, have helped solidify Russia's position as a dominant force in women's foil.

5.2. Historical Assessment

Aida Shanayeva is widely recognized as one of the leading foil fencers of her generation. Her multiple Olympic medals, including a gold, and her numerous World and European Championship titles underscore her historical importance in the sport. She is celebrated for her dedication and skill, which have made her a role model for aspiring fencers in Russia and beyond.