Para fencer Nino Tibilashvili targeting gold for Georgia at LA28

Having claimed a silver medal in the women's individual sabre A category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and bronze at Paris 2024, Nino Tibilashvili has put Georgia firmly on the Para fencing map. Now she has her sights on completing the set at the LA28 Paralympic Games.

But what makes Tibilashvili's achievements particularly notable is the fact that she did not pick up a fencing sword or sit in a wheelchair until she was 19 years old.

"I met my coach by chance at school in 2015. He told me about Para fencing and took me to training, without any prior experience in any sport,” said Tibilashvili, who has a prosthesis on her left leg.

Tibilashvili was studying architecture at the Tiblisi Academy of Arts at the time and looked set for a career in interior design. But she quickly became "addicted" to Para fencing.

"Sports changed my life, my schedule, my diet," she said. "It taught me discipline, self-control and the pursuit of goals. I walked with more confidence, learned to value myself and believe in my own abilities."

To the Paralympic stage

On her Paralympic Games debut at Tokyo 2020 - delayed until 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic - Tibilashvili claimed silver in the women's individual sabre A, becoming the first female Paralympic medallist from Georgia and the first wheelchair fencer from the country to finish on the Paralympic podium.

"Due to Covid-19, the hall was empty, without fans, but I knew how many people were cheering for me," she said. "In my mind, each one of them was clapping. This success is unprecedented for me to this day.

Rather than being the culmination of a dream, though, Tokyo 2020 motivated Tibilashvili to "achieve more" at Paris 2024. In fact, she claimed bronze by beating France's Brianna Vide in front of a packed crowd at the Grand Palais, but considers this no less of an achievement than her silver in Tokyo.

"Every medal is important to me because behind these medals are many tears. I was happy about this bronze medal too, because I knew what path I had taken to get to it.

"Unlike Tokyo, the Paris hall was packed with spectators. I was very nervous. I would hear the audience's voices, and I was scared.

"In the hall were my friends and family members, my mother, my desire to make her happy was stronger than my fear."

Life in the fast lane

Tibilashvili admits "life has changed" since her double Paralympic success. "Sports are my job now," she said. "Success brings both happiness and financial security.

"To be honest, people still don't recognise me in the street because they mostly see me with a fencing mask on, but fencing is more popular in our country.

"I take my role as an athlete with a disability very seriously, and I see myself as part of a new story that will motivate young people.

Her dedication is clear. After training from 10am until 5pm - first in the gym, then on the fencing piste - Tibilashvili studies at a sports university for three hours in the evening. "I think I am very fast, both in fencing and in life," she laughed.

Friendship and teamwork on the piste

As well as her individual pursuits, Tibilashvili even finds time to compete for team honours alongside three-time world champion Irma Khetsuriani, who she has known ever since setting foot inside a fencing hall, and Gvantsa Zadishvili. Together, the trio were world team sabre champions in 2021.

"I have an amazing team, they are always by my side," Tibilashvili said. "Irma was the first to introduce this sport to the people [of Georgia], then Gvantsa and I.

"They are an integral part of my life, they are my family, they are my best friends beyond sport. When they stand with me during the fight, I feel so much hope and strength.

"When fighting as a team, you have more responsibility, both to yourself and to the team."

You need only look at their reaction to claiming bronze in the women's team sabre at the Iksan 2025 Para Fencing World Championships in September, however, to see that competing together is about so much more than the colour of the medal.

"The golden time will come," Tibilashvili said. "My main goal is LA 2028 - I hope my wish comes true. The important thing is the process and the path to get there."