Author: Phoenix Olen

Phoenix Zaoku Olen is a junior at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut, and a saber fencer on Nigeria’s national team, competing at cadet, junior and senior level internationally. He is the author of the novel A Door, Not an Exit and co-author, with his twin sister Zieozi, of Twins’ Walkie-Talkie Chronicles and So You’ve Got a Crush… Now What? He is also an actor and an aspiring game designer.

Fencing | Phoenix

Rising to the Challenge: My Breakthrough In Bogotá
ByPhoenix Olen October 7, 2026October 17, 2026

At a glance: Junior and Cadet World Cup, Bogotá, Colombia, 25 and 26 September 2026. Phoenix reached the direct-elimination rounds in both the cadet and junior events and earned six FIE points. His cadet world ranking rose from 151 to 61 and his junior ranking from 467 to 260, and USA Fencing awarded him a...

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Fencing | Phoenix

One Touch Beyond the Goal
ByPhoenix Olen August 21, 2026October 17, 2026

At a glance: 2026 Senior Men's Sabre World Championships, Hong Kong, after a pre-Worlds training camp in Shanghai with Eli Dershwitz and Coach Barni Csanyi. Phoenix was the youngest fencer in the event, finished 161st of 166, and scored six touches against a goal of one per opponent. His world rankings afterwards: cadet 151, junior...

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Fencing | Phoenix

From Abidjan to Zeta: Building the Fencer I Intend to Become
ByPhoenix Olen June 19, 2026October 17, 2026

At a glance: After Rio, Phoenix spent six weeks rebuilding his foundation at Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy, including an undefeated Zeta tournament on 3 May 2026. Then came the Senior African Championships in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (June 2026), a move to Zeta's Elite Class on 8 June, and selection for the Senior World Championships. The...

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Fencing | Phoenix

I Cried on the Strip in Rio and It Changed My Fencing Forever
ByPhoenix Olen April 5, 2026October 17, 2026

At a glance: Junior and Cadet World Championships, Rio de Janeiro, April 2026: Phoenix's first international competition, fencing saber for Nigeria. It was a hard debut, and it earned his first world ranking (579th in junior men's saber) and selection for Nigeria's next events. Junior and Cadet World Championships, Rio de Janeiro | Team Nigeria...

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Fencing | Phoenix

Learning Discipline Beyond Results
ByPhoenix Olen January 1, 2026October 17, 2026

At a glance: On 2 November 2025, Phoenix dislocated his knee one touch from his first rating (E25) and retired from the bout. Cleared to train in a brace, he attended Zeta's Elite Winter Saber Camp (26 to 30 December 2025) with Olympians Eli Dershwitz and Mitchell Saron, while also playing Bottom in his school's...

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Fencing | Phoenix

Blades, Mentors, and Memories: My Journey at Zeta Elite Saber Camp
ByPhoenix Olen August 31, 2025October 17, 2026

At a glance: Zeta Elite Saber Summer Program, 18 to 22 August 2025, nine months after Phoenix first picked up a saber. He trained under 2023 World Champion and three-time Olympian Eli Dershwitz and Olympic silver medallist Luigi Samele. It was the start of his connection to Zeta Fencing, where he now trains in the...

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