“Everything is different” now for Manon Apithy in her return to competitive fencing
Updated 28/05/2026 at 19:41 GMT+1
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Olympic champion Manon Apithy has opened up about the challenge of returning to elite fencing as a new mother and the work she has done to get back to being her best. The 30-year-old has accepted that things have changed, and she is in a new chapter aiming to become a ‘new Manon’ as she looks to inspire her son and teach him the values that made her a champion.
Manon Apithy
Image credit: TNT Sports
Apithy had long been at the pinnacle of fencing, having earned gold medals at all the biggest competitions, from her 2024 Olympic success in Paris to her 2018 World Championships victory in Wuxi, China.
However, the three-time European Championship gold medallist is currently working her way back to the top of the sport after taking a short break following the birth of her son Orisha in June 2025.
At 30 years old and having just started a family, it would have been understandable if Apithy eased her way back into fencing over time. It typically takes about a year to return to the elite level – she managed to do so in just six months.
Apithy said: ”Getting back on track was great. That was also the challenge given to me. I told myself I am returning to competition knowing I’m not ready.
”I quickly realised my physical condition was my first limitation; I didn’t think it would be this difficult.
”But here I am building a new Manon because my body has changed. Everything is different.”
Now that Apithy has returned to competition, she’s hungry to win more gold medals and championships due to her driven nature.
Yet there’s an understanding from the 30-year-old that returning to her best and winning competitions again will take time… as well as some defeats along the way.
Previously Apithy would have been motivated to reach the top of the sport, which she achieved, but now she has another reason to fence.
She said: ”I wasn’t sure why I was there anymore. But then I remembered why I was doing all this.
”Having my baby here, taking him everywhere, exposing him to the noise, letting him discover our passion with (husband and fellow fencer) Bolade – it’s wonderful.
”I need to show him his mum commits fully and demonstrates good values. So, when I’m there or at training, I try to give 100% to show that not everything comes easy – you have to work constantly and give your maximum.”
The next opportunity Apithy has to demonstrate these values to her son will be in Antony, France for the European Championships.
Finishing 14th at the World Cup in Athens on April 17th will have lit a fire in Apithy to take the next step in her journey back to the top.
Opponents will be wary of her as she continues to return to the quality fencer we all came to know in the years leading up to her crowning moment at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Will this weekend mark the emergence of the ‘new Manon’?
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