Olga Kharlan Wiki, Age, Boyfriend, Parents, Education & More

All About Ukrainian Fencer Olga Kharlan

Olga Kharlan (age: 32, on September 4, 1990) is a Ukrainian fencer known for her exceptional skills as a right-handed saber fencer and has achieved remarkable success throughout her career.

Kharlan boasts an impressive record of being a four-time individual world champion in women’s saber, as well as a four-time Olympic medalist.

Her accomplishments include two team world championships and six individual European championships, along with two team European championships. Having participated in four consecutive Olympic Games, Kharlan earned a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as part of the team event.

Additionally, she secured a silver medal in the team event during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and two individual bronze medals in different editions.

Over the years, Olga Kharlan has maintained her dominance in the sport and held the top position in the women’s saber world rankings for an impressive five years, specifically in 2012-2014, 2017-2018, and 2019-2021.

Furthermore, Kharlan’s contributions to fencing led to her induction into the Hall of Fame of the International Fencing Federation. While primarily recognized for her sporting prowess, Olga Kharlan also dabbled in politics for a brief period.

However, her main focus has always been on fencing and excelling in the sport that she loves. Recently, in July 2023, Kharlan faced controversy during a match against her Russian counterpart, Anna Smirnova.

After securing a victory, Olga pointed her saber at Anna instead of shaking hands, leading to her subsequent disqualification as per the decision made by the match organizers.

Olga Kharlan & Anna Smirnova Controversy

During a saber bout against Anna Smirnova, Olga emerged victorious with a score of 15-7. However, instead of adhering to the tradition of shaking hands with her opponent, she chose to tap blades with her saber.

According to fencing rules, shaking hands with the opponent is mandatory, and failing to do so results in a ‘black card.’

Olga’s action raised eyebrows and led to her disqualification from the event. In response to the incident, she posted a video on Instagram, expressing gratitude to her supporters and calling for a change in the rules.

Due to her disqualification, Olga Kharlan will also miss the team event at the world championships, which could have served as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Despite this setback, Olga stands firm and has no regrets, having previously won Olympic gold in the teams’ event in Beijing in 2008.

Olha Hennadiyivna Kharlan Parents & Education

Olga Kharlan (age 32) was born on September 4, 1990, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. Her parents had modest professions, and finances were a constraint during her early years. Initially, she was interested in dancing, but the cost of dance lessons proved prohibitive for her family.

However, fate had a different path laid out for her. At the age of 10, Kharlan’s godfather, Anatoly Shlikar, a saber coach, suggested that she try her hand at fencing.

The sport’s free training was offered free of charge, allowing young Olga to explore her potential. She began her fencing journey under the guidance of coach Artem Skorokhod, who would play a crucial role in her future successes.

Olga Kharlan’s Career

At 17, Olga Kharlan competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Her performance in the team event was nothing short of extraordinary, as she contributed significantly to Ukraine’s victory in the final against China, securing the gold medal.

Olga’s dominance was not limited to the senior level. In the 2009–10 season, she achieved a remarkable feat by winning her fourth consecutive Junior World Championship in individual and team events. In the 2013 World Championships held in Budapest, Hungary, Olga Kharlan claimed her first world individual championship.

In a thrilling match, she defeated the reigning South Korean Olympic champion, Kim Ji-yeon, with a tight score of 15–14. Olga continued to solidify her position as one of the best fencers in the world.

At the 2014 World Fencing Championships in Kazan, Russia, she secured her second individual world championship title, prevailing over the No. 2 seed Zagunis with a score of 15–12.

The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, were another opportunity for Olga Kharlan to showcase her skills. While the competition was fierce, she lost in the first round against China’s Yang Hengyu.

Throughout her career, Olga Kharlan has been a force to be reckoned with, consistently ranking as the world’s number one in women’s saber. Her impressive track record reflects her dedication, skill, and determination in fencing.

Olga Kharlan’s Boyfriend & Love Life

In August 2014, Kharlan married Dmytro Boiko, a fellow fencer. Reportedly Boika and Olga had developed bonding while practicing together, although their wedding did not last longer, and they divorced.

If you follow Olga on Instagram (@olgakharlan), you might already know that these days she is dating the Italian fencer Luigi Samele. The duo currently lives together in Bologna, Italy.

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Olga Kharlan Q&A

Ques: When was Olga Kharlan born?

Ans: September 4, 1990.

Ques: What is the name of Olga Kharlan’s boyfriend?

Ans: Luigi Samele.

Ques: How tall is Olga Kharlan?

Ans: 5 feet 8 inches.

Ques: Where does Olga Kharlan live?

Ans: Bologna, Italy.