WALTHAM, Mass. -- Brandeis alumna Kristin Foellmer '96 became a World Champion over the weekend, winning the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Veteran 50 epee title in Manama, Bahrain. 

Seeded 11th, Foellmer defeated top-seeded and former Olympian Natalya Goncharova of Kazakhstan, 10-4, in the championship bout after knocking off opponents from Great Britain, Germany and France in the elimination bracket. 

Foellmer, who joined the Vet 50 circuit this year, earned gold and silver medals at national events over the past year while fencing for DC Fencers Club in Silver Spring, Maryland. 

Foellmer is a 2003 inductee into the Brandeis Athletics Hall of Fame. She was a three-time All-American in the foil, placing third in the nation as a first-year and fifth in two other trips to nationals. She was also a two-time University Athletic Association foil champion.

"Tonight was many years of fencing and training and competitions, and it all came together today," Foellmer told the FIE. "The women are really incredible. You walk into the veteran world championships and the energy is so positive, all the women are super nice. We all just have so much fun! That helped me not be stressed and just enjoy the journey."