Giulio Gaudini

The tall Giulio Gaudini was one of the dominant fencers of the 1920s and 1930s. In four Olympic appearances, he collected nine Olympic medals on foil as well as sabre. His three titles came in the individual foil (1936) – after two bronze medals in 1928 and 1932 – and the team foil (1928 and 1936). Gaudini’s exploits at the 1932 Games were somewhat unfortunate, returning home with three silver medals. His luck was better at the 1936 Games, where he also carried the Italian flag during the opening ceremony. Gaudini was even more successful at the World Championships, although these were known as European Championships through 1937. Gaudini medalled 17 times, including seven golds. He won two individual foil titles (1930, 1934), five team foil titles (1929-1931, 1934-1935) and one team sabre title (1938). Gaudini died of cancer at 43.