Credit: International Fencing Federation (FIE)
Image: Chris Matt holding his gold medal and Champion du Monde certificate.
Capital Fencing Academy (Bethesda, MD) is proud to announce that Chris Matt, a distinguished veteran athlete and former U.S. Navy pilot, has secured the gold medal in the Veteran 60 Men’s Sabre event at the 2025 Veteran World Championships in Manama, Bahrain. This victory marks his second consecutive world title, following his first-place finish at the 2024 Veteran World Championships, solidifying his position as one of the top veteran sabre fencers in the world.
Credit: International Fencing Federation (FIE)
Image: (left to right) Captial Fencing Academy’s Pietro Ferrara, Chris Matt, Coach Paul Corteyn, Garik Gutman, and Ron Thornton at Veteran World Championships in Bahrain
Matt, who lives in Fairfax Station, Virginia, trains at Capital Fencing Academy under internationally recognized coaches Dariusz Gilman and Paul Corteyn. He began fencing in 2010 after being inspired by his children’s involvement in the sport. Since then, he has built a career defined by consistency, excellence, and leadership- qualities honed during his years of service as a naval aviator.
A Veteran Athlete with a Remarkable Competitive Record
Chris Matt has earned a distinguished place in U.S. fencing history. His achievements include:
Two-time World Champion (2024, 2025 – Vet 60 Men’s Sabre)
Six-time member of the U.S. Veteran World Team
Two-time U.S. National Champion (Vet 60 Men’s Sabre, 2023 & 2024)
Winner of multiple North American Cup (NAC) medals during the 2023–2025 seasons
Veteran 60 Fencer of the Year by the U.S. Fencing Association (2023–2024)
Member of “The Troublemakers,” a veteran sabre team with multiple national gold medals
Part of a historic sweep at the 2024 April NAC, where four Capital Fencing Academy athletes won gold in Vet 40, 50, 60, and 70 Men’s Sabre, a feat unparalleled by any other club in the history of USA Fencing
Matt cites the steadfast support of his wife (Linda), his children and children-in-law (Ryan, Emily, Laura, and Andrew), and his granddaughter (Rosie) as essential to his continued success. Outside of fencing, he works as a government consultant and brings the same discipline from his aviation career to his training and competition.
Other Capital Fencing Academy Veterans Shine on the World Stage
While Chris led the way with back-to-back world titles, several other Capital Fencing Academy fencers also delivered outstanding performances in Manama:
Garik Gutman earned a bronze medal in the Vet 70 Men’s Sabre category, finishing one touch away from making the championship final.
In the Vet Team Men’s Sabre (ages 40s–50s) event, Capital fencers Pietro Ferraro and Ron Thornton captured bronze, falling to Italy by only two points (43–45) in the semifinals.
On 11/20/2025, Chris Matt also contributed to a silver medal in the Grand Veteran Team Men’s Sabre category (ages 60+), adding to Capital’s strong showing across multiple age brackets.
These results highlight the depth, skill, and competitive spirit within Capital Fencing Academy’s veteran program, one of the strongest and most successful clubs in the United States.
Coach Dariusz Gilman emphasized that Matt’s success represents both personal dedication and the strength of Capital Fencing Academy’s training culture: “Chris trains with focus, humility, and intensity,” says Gilman. “His military background shows in everything he does. He is a role model for fencers of all ages.” Matt’s achievements, and those of his teammates, underscore the growing popularity and competitiveness of veteran fencing in the United States, inspiring both new and seasoned athletes to pursue excellence at any age.