Peter Westbrook’s fencing career began when his mother enrolled him in lessons to keep him out of trouble. Excelling in the sport, he won a full scholarship to New York University and won the NCAA fencing championship in sabre in 1973.
Beginning in 1974 he won the U.S. national men’s sabre championship 13 times. Having placed 13th in the 1976 Olympics, he earned a position on the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, but was unable to compete because of the United States’ boycott. Competing again in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, he won the bronze medal.
After his retirement he drew upon his mother’s wisdom to found the Peter Westbrook Foundation in New York City, which uses fencing as a tool to keep at-risk youth on a positive track. Many present and former Foundation pupils are nationally ranked, and one competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
Photo courtesy of Hard Road to Glory, Peter Westbrook
