A gold medal in the team épée event at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics secured the position of Katrina Lehis within international fencing history. Born in 1994 in the Estonian town of Haapsalu, she progressed from local training to become a primary competitor on the global stage, earning recognition for her technical execution as a left-handed épéeist.
Early Development and Junior Success
Lehis commenced her fencing training in 2004. Her development continued through the Estonian cadet and junior national squads, where she gained membership in 2009. She attended Läänemaa Upper Secondary School while balancing her athletic commitments. In 2014, she secured the individual gold medal at the Junior World Fencing Championships, an achievement that led to her selection as the Estonian Young Athlete of the Year.
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Her transition to senior competition involved consistent appearances at European-level tournaments. During 2015, she contributed to team épée silver medal wins at both the European Fencing Championships and the European Games. She achieved her most significant individual European success in 2018 by winning the individual gold medal at the European Fencing Championships.
Olympic Achievements
At the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Lehis competed in both the individual and team épée events. She emerged from the competition with two medals: a gold medal as part of the Estonian women's team and a bronze medal in the individual women's épée tournament. These results established her standing in the sport, supported by coaching from Helen Nelis-Naukas and Peeter Nelis.
Personal Life
Beyond her professional athletic career, Lehis maintains her residency in Estonia. In 2017, she gave birth to a son while continuing her progression in competitive fencing.
Fast facts
- Born: 1994, Haapsalu, Estonia
- Sport: Fencing (épée)
- Stance: Left-handed
- 2014 Junior World Champion: Individual
- 2018 European Champion: Individual
- 2020 Olympic Gold: Team épée
- 2020 Olympic Bronze: Individual épée
- Education: Läänemaa Upper Secondary School
Questions readers ask
What is the primary discipline of Katrina Lehis?
She is a specialist in the épée discipline of fencing.
Which Olympic medals has she won?
She won a gold medal in the team épée event and a bronze medal in the individual épée event at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
Achievements
- Competed at fencing at the 2020 Summer Olympics – women's individual épée and fencing at the 2020 Summer Olympics – women's team épée
- Discipline: fencing
