Witold Woyda, Olympic champion dead at 68

The fencing world has taken a serious blow today as news is out about the death of Witold Woyda. Mr. Woyda was an Olympic champion competing in 4 Olympics and won a bronze, a silver, as well as 2 gold medals.

While that is a massive feat and worth of praise for any athlete, there is another important fact to consider. Mr. Woyda was only 5’7” and weighed 140 lbs at the time. His use of quickness, superb coordination and aggressive tactics allowed him to take on opponents with superior reach, which normally would provide them with an advantage.

Mr. Woyda’s accomplishments did not end with the 1972 Olympics (where he was a respectively old 33). He earned a law degree from the University of Warsaw, and did graduate work in NYU’s law school for international law. He then went on to become a civil court judge.

Mr. Woyda is survived by a wife, ex-wife, 2 daughters, a step-daughter, and 2 grand-children.

Mr. Woyda was only 68, and died of lung cancer.