.aesthetic talk
Enzo Lefort
Fancing Frontier
written Sarah Arendts
With a blend of skill and style, Enzo Lefort invites us into the intricate realm of his sport, where athleticism meets artistry in a symphony of movement. Lefort's journey to the forefront of fencing is a testament to dedication and innovation.
With each fluid motion, he challenges the status quo and pushes the boundaries of athletic expression. Engage with Enzo Lefort as he shares insights on its evolution, the fusion of athleticism and fashion, and his unwavering commitment to inspiring future generations of athletes. Learn all on the arena where passion ignites performance, and witness the extraordinary through the lens of a true visionary.
Enzo Lefort
seen by Jojo Harper
“Being able to compete at the Olympics at home is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! […] My goal is to make everyone who is going to watch me proud.”
Enzo Lefort speaks with Sarah Arendts
LE MILE Magazine TRANCE, Nr. 36
Sarah Arendts
Enzo, as a fencer who has reached the pinnacle of your sport, how do you balance the intense focus required in competition with relaxation and leisure in your personal life?
Enzo Lefort
Professional sport can be really challenging on a daily basis, as failure has a constant place in our journey. I personally try to always have side projects outside of fencing. These projects help me keep my head fresh and always be fulfilled. It is important as I need to put this mental energy into my competitions.
Your collaborations with Louis Vuitton and Nike merge the worlds of elite sport and high fashion. How do you see these partnerships influencing the perception of fencing within the fashion industry and among its followers?
Fencing is kind of a "niche" sport with a really poor representation on TV. I feel that being able to work with these two leaders in their industries proves that visibility isn’t everything. Nowadays, people often think about your number of followers and your reach. I personally think you can be more legitimate by being true to yourself, having a great image, and doing beautiful and useful things outside your sport.
During a match, athletes often describe entering a ‘zone’ or a state of flow that feels like a trance. Can you share an experience when you were completely absorbed in the moment? How does this mental state contribute to your performance?
This is a state of mind where your body moves by itself. You’re so in phase and in the present moment that you’re not thinking anymore. By instinct, you take all the good decisions during the action, leading you to see everything slower, as if you were outside your body! I’m lucky enough to have felt this feeling in the Olympic Games finals in Tokyo 2021 team event!
With the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, what does competing in your home country mean to you personally and professionally? How are you preparing for this monumental event in your career?
Being able to compete at the Olympics at home is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! I like to think I train harder than ever to give my very best on the day of the competition! My goal is to make everyone who is going to watch me proud. I’m thinking about my wife, my daughter, my parents, my sister, my friends, and the whole French people! I’m also aware of the spotlight that will be pointed at the athletes during these months. And I try to use them to shed light on my personal projects such as my charity or my documentary about fencing in Guadeloupe that I wrote.
Fencing is a sport with deep historical roots. How do you think modern technology and training methods are changing the game, and where do you see the sport going in the next decade?
Modern technology and training methods help fencing become more spectacular, in a physical way and in terms of visual show for the spectators. I can see the sport evolving even further in these two directions during the next decade.
Working with brands like Louis Vuitton and Nike, how do you ensure that sponsorships align with your personal values and the essence of fencing? What do you look for in a partnership?
Fencing being an amateur sport, I need these sponsorships in order to make a living from it. But not at any cost. I am really paying attention to the brand I work with, matching my image in terms of values and positioning. I always make sure the brand I’m working with will help me with my side projects such as photography, my podcast, or my charity. Also, I pay attention to the brand being subtle when it communicates, especially using my image.
As a prominent figure in fencing, you have a unique platform. How do you hope to use your influence to impact the sport and inspire the next generation of athletes?
I always make sure that I share the values of sport such as hard work, resilience, fair play... I also try to show that we can be more than athletes, that there are other things we are good at. I reached a moment in my life and my career where I can give back to the younger ones and the ones in need. At my very own level, I try to help those in need, and if everyone is doing the same, things can change.
With your keen eye for fashion, how do you integrate style and functionality in your training and competition wear? How important is personal style in expressing yourself within the sport?
When it comes to fashion in training and competition, I am very functional. I tend to wear mostly black outfits, but I pay attention to the materials and the fit of my clothes. I personalize my outfit with my "jewelry," a thing that other fencers mostly don’t do. Fencing is a very normative sport, and the uniform is very codified. I like to keep my freedom wearing my personal jewels, in order to keep my personality.
“By instinct, you take all the good decisions during the action, leading you to see everything slower, as if you were outside your body! ”
Enzo Lefort speaks with Sarah Arendts
LE MILE Magazine TRANCE, Nr. 36
The mental aspect of sport is often as challenging as the physical. How do you maintain mental health and resilience during the highs and lows of your career?
My different projects outside of fencing help me to always be curious, to always learn new things. Doing this, my mind isn’t filled 100% of my time with fencing. Because when you win, everything is perfect, but when you lose, you see yourself as someone not capable. Doing other things outside my sport really helps me to relativize this.
Looking towards the future, what legacy do you hope to leave in the world of fencing and beyond? How do you want to be remembered both as an athlete and as a person?
In my sport, I would like to be remembered as an athlete who always played by the rules, who never cheated, and who respected every single one of his opponents. And then, I would like to be remembered as someone who marked the history of his sport. And then I will do my best effort to help and empower the next generation of athletes in sport.
follow talent @enzo_lefort
all images (c) Jojo Harper