One of the greatest female fencers of all time, Ilona Elek-Schacherer (1907-1988) won two Olympic gold medals, an incredible 12 years apart.

The first was at the 1936 Berlin Olympics when she was 29, defeating the gold medalists from the previous two Olympics to prevail.

She was 41 when she won the second, then took silver in 1952 at 45.

She also won ten gold medals, five silver and two bronze medals in numerous World Championships from 1934 to 1956.

Ilona Elek-Schacherer won more international fencing titles than any other woman.

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