Carrying Singapore’s Blade onto a Fencer's Grandest Piste: Amita Berthier
- Hana Basir
- Aug 4
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Ahead of SG60 celebrations, Sportplus.sg caught up with Amita Berthier, who has fought many of life's ups and downs to become one of Singapore's top fencers
She's the first Singaporean fencer to clinch a title at the Junior World Cup, and the first ever Singaporean to earn a spot at the Olympics through a qualifying tournament.
Amita Berthier is only 24-years-old, but her young age can’t be undermined. Her victories have put the spotlight on our Little Red Dot—fulfilling one of her greatest motivations: to make the world take notice.
“My goal has always been to break barriers and show Singaporeans that there’s no limit,” shared the three-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medallist and four-time NCAA Fencing Championships medallist, who competed for the University of Notre Dame—one of the most competitive breeding grounds for fencing talent.
“My ‘why’ is making the impossible possible. I want to show that even though we are just a tiny red dot we have the potential and people should take us seriously on the world stage. I feel extra pride when I compete with the flag on my mask.”
It was in 2017 when Berthier won her first gold medal at the SEA Games. Having Singapore’s national anthem ring out in the venue just for her, is a memory she holds close to her heart.
“It was truly remarkable. I still remember the edition prior to that where I was a volunteer at the Singapore 2015 SEA Games. Winning gold in 2017 felt like a full circle moment. All my dedication and hard work had paid off and it inspired me to keep pushing forward. Hearing the national anthem always fills me with pride and honour.”
After winning two more golds at the 2019 SEA Games, Berthier went on to make history in Tashkent, Uzbekistan at the 2021 Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualification Tournament, where she defeated Uzbekistan’s Yana Alborova in an intense final, 15-14. Collapsing on the piste and unleashing an emotional scream—now an iconic moment etched in her career—she became the first Singaporean ever to secure an Olympic spot through a qualifying tournament.
“It was truly an honour and was a huge accomplishment for myself personally as it wasn’t easy to qualify directly but I made it happen,” she recounted.
At only 20 years old, Berthier not only made her country proud, but also honoured her late father, to whom she had promised she would one day stand at the grandest piste of all—the Olympics.
Berthier eventually bowed out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in her debut Olympics bout to her good friend—and someone who she sees as her hero—Lee Kiefer, who went on to win gold in the women’s individual foil.
It was a clear-cut 4–15 defeat back then, but it was far from the last time the storied Olympic stage would see the left-handed Singaporean foil fencer in action.
Berthier went on to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics through her individual ranking points. In four years, she had jumped 32 spots in the International Fencing Federation (FIE) world rankings to become World. No 28 in the women’s foil event.
Part French through her late father Eric Berthier, the youngest Berthier had never felt prouder as a Singaporean fencer than she did while competing in Paris, beneath one of the city’s most historic monuments —The Grand Palais.
A masterpiece of architecture, the Grand Palais first opened its doors in 1900 for the Exposition Universelle, a world’s fair celebrating the achievements of the 19th century as the world stepped into a new era. In the 124 years since, this iconic venue has borne witness to over a century of cultural revolutions — hosting everything from art exhibitions and sporting events to surviving the turmoil of two world wars.
And now, beneath the iconic glass dome stood Berthier, who had fought tooth and nail in all aspects of her life to stand on the piste at the age-old Olympic games for a second time. There to support her was her mother, her siblings and her French grandparents who had travelled from Lyon.
“It’s always a privilege to represent Singapore in any competition I go to but my proudest moment was competing in the Grand Palais in the Paris Olympic Games. Seeing my family in the stands and the Singaporean flag flying high instilled me with so much pride and happiness,” said Berthier.
Once again, the Singaporean faced a daunting opening bout—this time against World No. 11 Lauren Scruggs.
But Berthier wasn’t going down without a fight.
On the grand stage of the Grand Palais, she held her own, narrowly losing 12–15 to the American, who would go on to reach the finals. As her defeats against top-ranked opponents grew narrower, her name only grew louder and louder with each bout.
Throughout her Team Singapore that has now spanned over a decade, it’s finding a home that has been her biggest takeaway so far.
“The sense of belonging, the unmatched support we get and every little victory that comes with huge pride from my fellow teammates, Team Singapore athletes and everyone that has supported me on my journey thus far—that’s the best thing for me.”
“To aspiring Singaporean fencers, keep dreaming, keep believing and know that nothing’s impossible. Don’t compare yourself to anyone, keep your head down and just keep working, you will get there.”