Pelech Wins Gold and Bronze Medals in International Tournament

  • September 8, 2017

Lia Pelech, a Junior at Vernon Hills High School, and a member of the Great Lakes Fencing Academy, won gold and bronze medals in international competition this summer.  Pelech captured a gold medal as one of three members of Team USA’s saber squad in early July at the 2017 Maccabiah World Games in Akko, Israel. Lia also earned a bronze medal in the age 15-18 junior saber division.

The Maccabiah is a quadrennial event for Jewish athletes from around the world, with competitions taking place throughout Israel. There were more than 10,000 athletes from about 80 countries, according to the event’s website.

“All she wants to do is get better and better,” said Mikhail Tsipis, who coaches Lia at Great Lakes and the Thundercats. “She never gives up. She always pays attention and does it right.”

To read more about this remarkable fencer, read the article in the Chicago Tribune about her.