Alumnus and Olympic Silver Medalist Credits St. John’s for Athletic and Academic Success
“As a student, I learned how to be mentally ready for the future, more open minded and curious.” He added that he “fell in love with the stock market as a graduate student. It was an amazing learning experience.”
Fares Ferjani ’22TCB, ’23MBA captured the silver medal in the Men’s Sabre Individual for Tunisia at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The medal signified Mr. Ferjani’s first in his third career Olympics. Before his win, he finished 22nd in the 2020 Tokyo games and 25th in the 2016 Rio games.
“I was inspired by my father, a fencing referee, and my brother, who also fenced,” he recently recalled.
Mr. Ferjani came to St. John’s because of Fencing Coach Yury Gelman, whose reputation for excellence is internationally known. “I received offers from many other schools, but knowing he was here made it a done deal.”
A standout Men’s Fencing team member, Mr. Ferjani considered St. John’s home during his six years here. “It always felt like a family to me. It helped me prepare for the Olympics and for life. It gave me all the tools I needed to succeed, both within and outside the fencing world,” he observed.
Mr. Ferjani noted that as a student-athlete, he was given the space necessary to succeed academically and in sports. “As a student, I learned how to be mentally ready for the future, more open minded and curious.” He added that he “fell in love with the stock market as a graduate student. It was an amazing learning experience.”
That mental discipline allowed Mr. Ferjani to enjoy the Olympic Games, while intensely focusing on his goals. “Very rarely can an athlete do both—and those are the athletes who win,” he stressed.
“Representing Tunisia and winning a medal for my country meant a lot,” he said. “My country doesn’t win many medals. This time around, we won three. Walking in the street and having all these smiling faces congratulate me was amazing. I thanked them for giving me so much positive energy. I hope I can give them much more joy in the coming years.”