Kruz Schembri spent the weekend after his birthday in El Salvador doing something 19-year-olds rarely do: winning a gold medal at the Fencing Junior World Cup.
The Notre Dame freshman with Crucian roots captured first place in men’s individual épée with 32 points. Team USA took second and third place with Alexander Bezrodnov scoring 26 points, while Jonathan Wu and Simon Lioznyansky tied with 20 points each.
Schembri was the only fencer representing the U.S. Virgin Islands at the event.
“It was a very long day, but I fought hard and well each bout,” Schembri said.
Building on the momentum of his historic gold at the Jr. Pan-Am Games in August, Schembri rose to the top of a field of 83 fencers. He is currently ranked fourth in the world in the junior men’s épée.
“I feel like I have definitely gotten better as a fencer,” Schembri said. “Notre Dame has taught me discipline and work ethic inside and outside the classroom that translates to my fencing.”
It’s a balance that the finance major seems to be managing remarkably well. Between coursework at one of the nation’s premier business schools and the demanding training schedule required for international competition, Schembri has found a rhythm that allows both pursuits to enhance each other.
With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics less than three years away, competitions have taken on added weight for Schembri, who hopes to make a strong showing for the Virgin Islands on the global stage.
For the USVI, Schembri’s success adds another chapter to a growing narrative of athletic excellence emerging from the islands. While the territory’s Olympic teams have historically been small, athletes like Schembri are proving that with the right development and opportunities, Caribbean competitors can stand on podiums anywhere in the world.
