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Michel Alaux


Maitre Michel Alaux (1924–1974) was a French-American world-renowned fencing master, Hall of Fame Olympic coach, key figure in developing official US fencing standards, and author. He was hailed as a "genius" in his field for his holistic approach. Historically, he bridged classical and modern Olympic fencing, approaching the sport as an art and science. He is credited with fusing, through his teaching and writing, nationally originated techniques into an international style.

He graduated from the rigorous military college, le Fort Carre d'Antibes, in 1947, and immediately established himself in his club, L'Association Jean Louis in Montpellier, France. There, he trained a number of foil and épée champions, the most illustrious being Christian D'Oriola, the greatest French foil fencer of all times, named Fencer of the 20th Century by the FIE, International Fencing Federation.

At the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Christian d'Oriola won two Gold medals for Individual and Team foil, spectacularly winning all ten bouts in the Team events. The French national press Le Monde and Le Figaro congratulated Maitre Alaux, noting the affinity and friendship between student and teacher, both in their twenties- four years apart.

Michel Alaux was awarded two Medals of Honor by the French Government's Ministry of Sports in recognition of his contribution to fencing: Bronze, in 1949, for the World Championships, followed by Gold, in 1952, for the Helsinki Olympics.


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