Giorgio Santelli
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maestro Giorgio Santelli (November 25, 1897 – 1985) was a legendary fencer and fencing master who was the largest mid-20th century influence in raising the quality and popularity of fencing in the United States, and creator of one of the best-known fencing equipment manufacturers.
Born November 25, 1897 in Budapest, Hungary, Giorgio was the son of Italo Santelli, a renowned fencing master who revolutionised sabre technique and was called the "Father of Modern Sabre Fencing". Giorgio was an Olympian in 1920, and a champion in both foil and sabre. He won the Austrian, Hungarian and Italian sabre championships, and the Austrian and Hungarian foil championships -- equivalent to winning the Olympics in two different weapons. Giorgio fought and won a famous duel with Adolfo Cotronei, arising out of an Olympic fencing dispute between his father and the Italian team (see links below for details).
Maestro Santelli immigrated to the U.S. in 1924. He initially taught at the New York Athletic Club, before founding Salle Santelli in New York City, Giorgio was US National Coach for several decades, and U.S. Olympic Coach in 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, and 1952. He trained many national team members and champions from the 1940's through the 1980's, teaching champions and prominent fencers including George Worth, Tibor Nyilas, George Kolombatovich, Allan Kwartler, Neil Lazar, Uriah Jones, Robert Russell, Anne O'Donnell Russell, Marty Lang, Denise O'Connor, Ed Ballinger, Israel Colon, Ernest Schmatolla, Maurice Kamhi, Andy Shaw, Ed Wright and many, many others.
In 1934, he established the United States Fencing Equipment Company, renamed in 1955 to George Santelli, Inc. This was one of the most widely known 20th century fencing supply houses in the United States.
Giorgio tirelessly and generously promoted fencing in all aspects, including stage choreography on Broadway (in productions of Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Peter Pan and many others) and providing free instruction to high school fencers. Giorgio generously supported fencing masters coming to the United States, giving them a place to teach until they established their own schools, including great maestros like Csaba Elthes. Giorgio made a unique contribution by tearing down the color barrier that existed in what had been a patrician sport, inviting black fencers to his club at a time when fencing had been a segregated activity, and producing Olympians and national champions such as Uriah Jones, Ed Ballinger, and Ed Wright.
Santelli was inducted into the USFA Hall of Fame in 1963. He died in 1985, after creating one of the greatest legacies in fencing.
