Young Fencer Zuri Alfred Ventures Into Technology, Fashion and Entrepreneurship

Young fencer Zuri Alfred is proving that her ambitions extend far beyond winning medals, as she ventures into technology, education, fashion and entrepreneurship while taking a break from competitive fencing.

Alfred, who previously captured a bronze medal at the Leon Paul U14 Open in London, is now working on several business and technology projects, including a device designed to make fencing more interactive and accessible.

The young athlete, whose preferred fencing weapon is the épée, has partnered with fellow fencing entrepreneur and mentor Hannah LeBor to develop new ways of introducing people to the sport.

Among their projects is a prototype device designed to gamify fencing, potentially changing how participants experience and engage with the sport.

Although the technology remains under development and has not yet been released, Alfred believes it could help make fencing more accessible to enthusiasts.

“We made this so we can make fencing more portable for everyone that enjoys the sport,” she explained.

Alfred also sees technology playing an increasingly important role in the future of fencing.

“Algorithms are the future, and to be part of the future we have gamified fencing so that the algorithm does the mechanics for you,” she said.

Beyond developing the device, Alfred and LeBor have launched an educational platform aimed at helping beginners better understand fencing.

The platform provides information and instructional videos covering aspects of the sport that newcomers may initially find difficult.

Its first set of videos was released this week, beginning with an introduction to fencing equipment.

Alfred explained that the platform was created to address some of the uncertainty people experience when first becoming involved in fencing.

“As a newcomer it's easy to be intimidated by fencing because fencing is complex,” she said, explaining that the platform aims to answer common questions about equipment and protective gear.

Her entrepreneurial interests are not limited to sports.

Alfred and LeBor have also invested in Osquo, an emerging beauty and adult acne-care brand preparing for its launch.

For Alfred, the investment carries personal significance, reflecting her own experiences with acne and the impact it can have on young people's confidence.

“As a young girl, I've had acne on my face so I know how self conscious it makes girls feel so investing in this is a huge confidence boost and as a young entrepreneur I think one should be passionate about what they put their money into,” she said.

She is also developing LyricV, a clothing brand inspired by fencing and music, alongside LyricFencing.com.

The projects represent a new chapter for the young athlete, who is using her time away from competition to explore opportunities that combine her sporting experience with her creative and business interests.

While fencing remains an important part of her life, Alfred is already considering how her interests and skills can create opportunities beyond the competitive arena.

Her latest ventures reflect an ambition not only to succeed in sport but also to contribute to its development while establishing herself as a young entrepreneur.