Eli Dershwitz (USA) during the FIE Senior Fencing World Championships in Milan, Italy, July 25, 2023. Photo: Photographer/IPA via Reuters Connect

Jewish fencer Eli Dershwitz became the first man from the United States to win the gold medal in men’s individual sabre fencing when he bested Georgia’s Sandro Bazadze in the final bout of the 2023 FIE Senior Fencing World Championships on Tuesday in Milan, Italy.

Dershwitz’s victory in the finals also marked the first time in history that team USA has taken home the title.

There are three fencing blades used in professional fencing — foil, épée and sabre — and each have different compositions and scoring target areas.

“It still doesn’t feel real, I’m so grateful that I have so many friends, coaches, and my family,” said the 27-year-old, two-time Olympian after his gold medal win in the finals.

The Boston native and Harvard graduate, who is now ranked No. 2 in the world, has broken many records throughout his young career. He won silver at the 2012 Junior World Championships and bronze in 2013, making him the first US men’s saber fencer to win back-to-back medals in that competition.

He made his Olympic debut in 2016, as the youngest member of the US fencing team at the age of 19, and also competed in the 2020 Olympics but did not win medals in either competition. The athlete has his eyes sent on winning big at the 2024 Olympics and said, “I’ve been working most of my life for this moment, this tournament, and towards Paris 2024. Hoping my third Olympic Games is the one.”