Paul Gnaier

Paul Gnaier had his right hand amputated when only 3-years-old, so he later took up fencing with the left hand, but before fencing, he was active as a high jumper. He built a fencing center during World War II in Heidenheim an der Brenz. Gnaier competed at the Olympic Games in 1960, 1964 and 1968 and participated in 10 World Championships. In 1960 the 11-time German champion won the Heidenheim Cup in his home town, one of the world’s largest fencing tournaments. He later served for many years as an official in the Württemberg Fencing Federation and Honorary President of the Württemberg Federal Fechter (WFB).

Gnaier graduated in Stuttgart, studying for higher administrative service, which he completed with the inspectors exam in 1948. In 1952 he studied for a year in the United States. In 1953 Paul Gnaier was appointed to head the administrative office in Schnaitheim, a borough within the city of Heidenheim an der Brenz. Gnaier remained as mayor of Schnaitheim for 37 years, until his retirement in 1991.