Larissa Eifler Crowned World Champion: A Journey Fueled by Determination and Mental Strength

Stand: 27.07.2026 • 17:30 Uhr

Larissa Eifler has claimed the title of World Champion in sabre fencing, attributing her success to a combination of mental health and relentless determination.

In an interview reflecting on her remarkable victory, Eifler expressed her overwhelming emotions. "The feeling was incredible. When everyone rushed to celebrate with me, I hadn’t fully realized what I had achieved. Today, I’m just incredibly happy and proud," she shared.

Eifler's triumph is particularly noteworthy as she was not considered a favorite going into the competition. She explained, "Performance in fencing highly depends on one’s daily form. There are so many mental and physical factors at play. Seconds can determine the outcome of a bout. There have been days where one aspect didn't align, which affected my previous results. However, I always believed that my time would come, and I belonged among the best in the world. I am infinitely glad and proud to have demonstrated this at the World Championships, and my confidence carried me through the day."

The athlete highlighted the importance of mental preparation for her performance. "For me, it’s primarily a mental issue. Just four weeks ago, I was eliminated in the first knockout round at the European Championships, and I was very dissatisfied with that result. In such a short time, I couldn’t become a better fencer, but I focused on tools to enhance my performance, such as meditation and visualization. I worked on being more relaxed, thinking positively, and believing in myself. I believe these factors contributed to my World Championship victory yesterday."

Eifler elaborated on her mental training, stating, "I work with a psychologist to help me stay relaxed and enjoy my sport without the pressure. The pressure to prove myself was always a hindrance. Fortunately, I was able to free myself from that yesterday."

After missing out on Olympic qualification in 2024, Eifler took a six-month break, which she acknowledged was influenced by mental factors. "Fencing had always been the center of my life. My goal was to qualify for the Olympics, and I had worked towards that for years, sacrificing a lot. When it didn’t happen, I felt a void and fell into a slump. So, I decided to take a break to discover who I am outside of fencing. My journey over the past few years shows that this was the right decision. A sports career is not a straight path; it’s individual. The break helped me regain motivation and enjoyment in fencing, and I’ve gained more than I lost."

Regarding her preparation for the World Championships, Eifler mentioned, "Thanks to our federation's funding, we had a training camp in Beijing, so I’ve been in Asia for the past two weeks. This allowed us to acclimate to the time difference and train with good partners."

Eifler praised the conditions at the event, stating, "Asia feels slightly ahead of Europe in many ways. The World Championship is incredibly well-organized, and the atmosphere in the hall was fantastic. This was my first international medal, and experiencing that on such a prestigious stage was overwhelming."

When discussing the state of fencing in Germany, Eifler noted, "The structural conditions in German sports, particularly in fencing, are not the best. Fencing is a niche sport with very little visibility, which correlates with insufficient financial support from the government. More resources are needed to better promote youth and inspire more people to take up the sport. However, our federation is working to improve structures for both the youth and us, step by step. Our training group at the federal base has two excellent coaches who care for us daily, and I want to express my gratitude to them."

Eifler hopes her victory will inspire the next generation, saying, "I hope that my win can motivate young fencers and that I can use the visibility I’m currently receiving to be a role model for them. The new sports promotion law hopefully will ensure that a niche sport like women’s sabre receives adequate financial and social support in the future."

Reflecting on her personal experience as an elite athlete, Eifler pointed out, "I have become a world champion and don’t have a single private sponsor; I think that speaks volumes. I’m a soldier in the Bundeswehr, which allows me to cover my financial costs. Without this system, I couldn’t pursue my sport as I do. However, I am not secured for life after sports, which is why I am currently studying psychology in Cologne. It’s important for me to build a second career for my future."

Our sources:

• Conversation with Larissa Eifler

Sendung: WDR.de, "Fecht-Weltmeisterin Eifler - 'Habe ein super tolles Team'", 27.07.26, 17.20 Uhr