1. Overview
Manon Apithy-Brunet (Manon BrunetManon BrunetFrench), born on February 7, 1996, is a prominent French right-handed sabre fencer. She is celebrated for her significant achievements in international competitions, including securing a gold medal in the individual women's sabre event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her career also includes a team world championship title in 2018, and multiple Olympic medals from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she earned a silver in the team event and a bronze in the individual competition. Brunet's consistent performance has established her as a leading figure in French and international fencing.
2. Personal life
Manon Brunet's personal journey, from her early life in Lyon to her academic and marital milestones, has shaped her path alongside her competitive fencing career.
2.1. Birth and family background
Brunet was born in Lyon, France, on February 7, 1996. She is the only child of her parents. Her father, Philippe Brunet, was a professional footballer who played for the French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais. Growing up in this environment, she was exposed to a sporting background from an early age.
2.2. Early sports and fencing entry
Before discovering fencing, Brunet initially engaged in other sports such as Taekwondo and dancing. However, she did not find sustained enjoyment in either of these activities. A friend later suggested that she try fencing, which piqued her interest. She was initially drawn to fencing due to its unique and somewhat amusing aspect of wearing a disguise. The idea of being the sole girl at her fencing club also appealed to her. She began her fencing journey at the age of seven at the Sabre au Clair club in Lyon.
2.3. Education and training
Brunet pursued academic studies alongside her athletic development, earning a degree in marketing from EDHEC Business School. Her fencing talent was quickly recognized, leading her to join the national training hub, Pole Espoir, in Orléans, France. At the age of 15, she became a member of the Cercle d'Escrime Orleanais club. Her progression continued as she advanced to the National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP) in Paris, France, where she further honed her skills. She is 5.6 ft (1.7 m) tall and weighs 121 lb (55 kg). Her coaches include Mathieu Gourdain, the national coach, and Christian Bauer, her personal coach.
2.4. Marriage
In 2021, Manon Brunet married fellow French sabre fencer Boladé Apithy. Following her marriage, she is also known as Manon Apithy-Brunet.
3. Career
Manon Brunet's professional fencing career is marked by a steady progression through the ranks, culminating in numerous international accolades across individual and team events.
3.1. Career overview
Brunet established herself as a formidable sabre fencer early in her career. In 2015 and 2016, she achieved individual runner-up finishes at the World Junior Championships. Her senior career quickly gained momentum with team silver medals at both the 2014 European Championships and the 2014 World Championships. She made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she finished fourth in the individual sabre event, narrowly missing a medal. A significant milestone in her career was winning the team gold medal at the 2018 World Fencing Championships. Her journey continued with multiple Olympic medals at the 2020 Tokyo Games and a historic individual gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
3.2. Major competition medal records
Brunet has accumulated a substantial collection of medals across the most prestigious international fencing competitions, demonstrating her consistent excellence.
3.2.1. Olympic Games
Brunet is a two-time Olympian, having competed in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Games.
| Year | Location | Event | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Tokyo, Japan | Individual Women's Sabre | Bronze |
| 2021 | Tokyo, Japan | Team Women's Sabre | Silver |
| 2024 | Paris, France | Individual Women's Sabre | Gold |
At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, held in 2021, Brunet secured an individual bronze medal after defeating Márton Anna of Hungary. She also contributed to the French women's sabre team's silver medal finish. At her home Olympics in Paris in 2024, she achieved a career highlight by winning the individual gold medal, defeating her compatriot Sara Balzer in an all-French final bout.
3.2.2. World Championships
Brunet has been a consistent medalist at the World Fencing Championships, particularly in team events.
3.2.3. European Championships
Brunet has achieved significant success at the European Fencing Championships, securing both individual and team medals.
| Year | Location | Event | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Strasbourg, France | Team Women's Sabre | Silver |
| 2015 | Montreux, Switzerland | Team Women's Sabre | Silver |
| 2016 | Toruń, Poland | Team Women's Sabre | Silver |
| 2017 | Tbilisi, Georgia | Team Women's Sabre | Bronze |
| 2018 | Novi Sad, Serbia | Team Women's Sabre | Bronze |
| 2019 | Düsseldorf, Germany | Individual Women's Sabre | Silver |
| 2019 | Düsseldorf, Germany | Team Women's Sabre | Bronze |
| 2023 | Plovdiv, Bulgaria | Individual Women's Sabre | Gold |
| 2024 | Basel, Switzerland | Team Women's Sabre | Gold |
3.2.4. European Games
Brunet has also medaled at the European Games.
| Year | Location | Event | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Kraków-Małopolska, Poland | Team Women's Sabre | Gold |
3.3. Individual achievements
Beyond major championships, Brunet has consistently performed well in individual events on the FIE World Cup circuit and at Grand Prix events.
She won a gold medal at the 2023 Grand Prix in Orléans, France. She also secured a bronze medal at the 2019 Grand Prix in Seoul, South Korea.
In World Cup events, Brunet has achieved multiple victories and podium finishes. She won gold medals in Orléans, France (2016, 2019), Yangzhou, China (2017), Tunis, Tunisia (2018), and Sint-Niklaas, Belgium (2019), and Istanbul, Turkey (2022). She earned silver medals in Athens, Greece (2017), and Plovdiv, Bulgaria (2022). Her bronze medal finishes include Caracas, Venezuela (2015), Tunis, Tunisia (2017), Orléans, France (2017), Athens, Greece (2018), Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (2019), Hammamet, Tunisia (2022), and Acropolis, Greece (2024).
4. Awards and honours
Manon Brunet's contributions to French sport have been formally recognized.
- Knight of the Legion of Honour: In 2024, she was conferred as a Knight of the Legion of Honour, one of France's highest decorations, in recognition of her outstanding achievements.
5. Assessment and impact
Manon Brunet's career trajectory showcases her evolution into one of the world's elite sabre fencers. Her consistent presence on the podium at major international competitions, including her Olympic gold, multiple World Championship and European Championship medals, underscores her exceptional skill and dedication. As a key member of the dominant French women's sabre team, she has played a crucial role in their collective success. Her achievements not only elevate her personal standing in the sport but also contribute significantly to France's reputation in fencing, inspiring future generations of athletes.