Olga Harlan Ukrainian saber fencer Date of Birth: 04.09.1990 Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Olha Kharlan
2. Early Life and Education
3. Fencing Career
4. Political Career

Biography of Olha Kharlan

Olha Kharlan is a Ukrainian saber fencer, born on September 4, 1990. She has had a successful career in fencing, becoming an Olympic champion in 2008, a four-time world champion, and a seven-time European champion.

Early Life and Education

Olha Kharlan was born in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. She completed her education at the Nikolaev College of Physical Culture. At the age of 14, she won her first medal at the European Championships, earning a bronze in the team event. The following year, she became the European vice-champion in the individual competition.

Fencing Career

Kharlan's breakthrough came in 2007 when, just a few days after turning 17, she won a silver medal at the World Championships in Saint Petersburg in the team saber event. In the same year, she also won the Junior World Cup. The following year, she claimed her first individual gold medals at the Junior World Championships.

In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Kharlan made history by delivering eight consecutive accurate hits in the team event against the Chinese fencers, securing Ukraine's first gold medal in fencing. She continued to excel in her career, winning numerous medals at world and European championships. In the 2012 London Olympics, she won a bronze medal in the individual event.

Kharlan's success extended beyond the Olympics and world championships. In 2011, she won a gold medal in the individual event at the Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China. She also achieved success at the European Championships, winning multiple gold medals in the individual competition.

Political Career

Apart from her sporting achievements, Kharlan has also been involved in politics. In 2010, she was elected as a deputy of the Mykolaiv City Council representing the Party of Regions. In 2012, she ran for a seat in the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, but was not successful. In 2014, she joined the list of the Ukrainian Green Party for local elections in Kyiv, but the party did not meet the three percent threshold.

Throughout her career, Olha Kharlan has been a dominant force in women's saber fencing, securing numerous titles and medals. She continues to represent Ukraine in international competitions, showcasing her exceptional skill and determination on the fencing piste.