Mark Calhoun
Mark Calhoun was introduced to the world of wheelchair fencing in 2001, when he went to watch his brothers James and David fence. He met Lisa Lanier, a wheelchair fencer, and she convinced him give the sport a try. He quickly fell in love with it, and has been fencing ever since. In September 2008, Calhoun took his game to the world's biggest stage - the Paralympic Games. In Beijing, Calhoun competed in two events, the men's foil individual A and the men's sabre individual A.
While learning and becoming a better fencer, Calhoun has had the opportunity to work with many great coaches in the fencing world, including Oswaldo Ortega, Gene Gettler, Leszek Stawicki, Arkady Burdan and his current coach, Julio Diaz.
Calhoun graduated from Haralson County High School in 2001. In May 2007, Calhoun graduated from the University of West Georgia with a bachelor's degree in history and a minor in anthropology.
Calhoun suffered from a stroke before he was born and as a result has right side hemi paresis.
Along with fencing, Calhoun enjoys tennis and baseball.
Major Achievements
- 2010: U.S. Team member – World Wheelchair Fencing Championships, Paris, France
- 2010: First place, men’s wheelchair foil – U.S. Summer Nationals, Atlanta, Ga.
- 2008: U.S. Paralympic Team member, Fencing - Beijing, China
- 2007: Wheelchair men's foil and saber National Champion
- 2006: Wheelchair men's saber National Champion
- 2007: 17th place, Sabre - World Cup, Paris, France 17th
- 2007: 13th place, Foil - World Cup, Montreal, Canada
- 2006: U.S. Team member - World Championships
- 2004: U.S. Paralympic Team alternate - Paralympic Games, Athens, Greece
