Cornelia Hanisch was a very successful West German foil fencer who became World Champion in 1979, 1981, and 1985. She won in total four golds, three silvers, and three bronzes at the World Championships. At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games she won the individual silver and a team gold. Eight years earlier at Montréal Hanisch came in fifth individually and fourth with the team. She received the Silver Bay Leaf, Germany’s highest sports award, and was elected Sportswoman of the Year in 1985. In 2016, she was inducted into the German Sports Hall of Fame.
Domestically, Hanisch was West German champion in 1976, 1978-80, and 1982. She worked as a trade school teacher, teaching German, economics, and mathematics at Offenbach. She was also a member of the NOC of Germany.