Miles Chamley-Watson
Miles Cleveland Chamley-Watson is a British-American right-handed foil fencer. He is a 13-time team Pan American champion, the 2019 team world champion, the 2013 individual world champion, a three-time Olympian, and the 2016 team Olympic bronze medalist.
Early life
Chamley-Watson was born on December 3, 1989, in North London, England, to an Anglo-African mother and an Anglo-Jamaican father. He lived in London for the first 10 years of his life before moving to the United States with his mother and stepfather, settling in New York City, while his biological father remained in the United Kingdom. After being expelled from several schools as a child due to behavioral problems related to his ADHD, his parents enrolled him in the Quest program at the Dwight School in Manhattan, designed to help students with learning differences. As part of the program, Chamley-Watson was required to participate in a sport and was given three options: tennis, badminton, or fencing. It was there that he began fencing, encouraged by one of his teachers, Ellen Grayson, whose husband, Eric, coached the fencing program. His teachers believed the sport would help him focus and serve as a good outlet for managing his hyperactivity.After 9/11, when Chamley-Watson was 12, his stepfather decided to move their family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He did not return to New York City until he was 21.
College career
Chamley-Watson earned a degree in sports management from Pennsylvania State University in 2012.Freshman year (2008–2009)
Chamley-Watson maintained a 19–4 record during his first year as an NCAA fencer. He was defeated in the semifinals 15–14 by Nicholas Chinman. The Penn State fencing team were the 2008–2009 National Team Champions.Sophomore year (2009–2010)
Chamley-Watson was defeated in the semifinals by Gerek Meinhardt of Notre Dame.Junior year (2010–2011)
During his junior season, Chamley-Watson had the choice to either redshirt his junior or senior season. He decided to compete in the NCAA Championships his junior year and redshirt during his senior season. He finished in second place in the championship tournament.Senior year (2011–2012)
Chamley-Watson was a redshirt during his senior season. He earned a spot on the 2012 United States Olympic Fencing team as a foil fencer.International career
Chamley-Watson entered the 2012 Summer Olympics as the No. 2 ranked foil fencer. His first round in the games he was presented a bye into the next round. In the second round, Chamley-Watson fenced Alaaeldin Abouelkassem, an opponent representing the country of Egypt, and was defeated 15 – 10. Abouelkassem went on to earn the silver medal in the event. In the team event, the United States beat France 45–39 in the quarterfinals, but lost 24–45 to Italy in the semi-final. In the bronze medal fight, the United States lost 27–45 to Germany.At the 2013 World Championships, Chamley-Watson became the first male US fencer to win an individual gold medal at the World Championships.
At the 2016 Olympics, Chamley-Watson again lost in the second round, this time to Russia's Artur Akhmatkhuzin, 13–15. In the team event, the United States beat Egypt 45–27 in the quarterfinals, before losing 41–45 to Russia in the semi-finals. In the bronze medal match, the United States beat Italy 45–31.
At the 2024 Olympics, Chamley-Watson competed as the fourth member of the American team, only competing in the team event and not the individual event. In the team event, the United States beat Egypt 45–35 in the quarterfinals, but lost 38–45 to Italy in the semi-finals. In the bronze medal match, the United States lost 32–45 to France.
Signature move
During a match in his World Championships debut, Chamley-Watson wrapped his arm around the back of his head and struck his opponent in the chest with his foil. It was the first time a fencer had ever used this kind of behind-the-back flick in a competition. Unsure of its legality, the referee stopped the match to check the move on video replay. After it was determined to be legitimate, Chamley-Watson was awarded his own signature fencing move, eponymously named 'the Chamley-Watson'.Medal record
Olympic Games
World Championship
Grand Prix
World Cup
Pan American Championship
Modeling
Growing up, Chamley-Watson was engaged in the fashion world by his mother, Elizabeth Chamley who was formerly a model in the UK. In addition to his interest in fashion, Chamley-Watson was motivated to begin modeling as a way to give the sport of fencing more exposure.When Chamley-Watson was 17-years-old, he was scouted by Ford Models while walking on the street in New York City. However, he told the agency that he was going to college soon and couldn’t sign with them. A few years later, when Chamley-Watson redshirted his senior year of college to prepare for the Olympics, he took the opportunity to also begin modeling on the side. From there, Chamley-Watson’s modeling career grew.
In 2017, Chamley-Watson signed with IMG Models, and is still currently represented by them.
Sponsorships and partnerships
Chamley-Watson is currently sponsored by Red Bull, Nike, Richard Mille, and Cash App. He wears his sponsors’ logos on his fencing equipment—on his mask, glove, and jacket. Additionally, he regularly wears a Richard Mille watch and Nike fencing shoes and socks at competitions, as well as a Red Bull cap in between matches and on podiums.Chamley-Watson is also sponsored by Absolute Fencing Gear, who supply all of the fencing equipment for his training and competitions.
As the most followed fencer in the world, Chamley-Watson frequently uses his social media to post about his sponsorships, and to also post about new and recurring partnerships. He is currently partnered with Mercedes-Benz, Dior, Michael Kors, Dita Eyewear, and DKNY.