Monica Aksamit
An Olympic saber fencer who battled back from career-threatening injury to claim bronze in Rio, then showcased her life beyond the strip on reality TV.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American saber fencer·Birthday: February 18·Millennials
Biography
Monica Aksamit's story is one of resilience and reinvention. The New Jersey native rose through the ranks of American fencing, specializing in the fast-paced saber discipline. Her trajectory toward the 2016 Rio Olympics was nearly derailed by a severe knee injury that required surgery and an arduous rehabilitation. She fought her way back not just to fitness, but onto the Olympic team. In Rio, Aksamit served as the crucial alternate for the U.S. Women's Saber Team, stepping in during the bronze medal match and contributing to a victory that secured a place on the podium. That moment was the peak of a fencing career that also included Pan American Games gold. Never one to be defined by a single arena, Aksamit later embraced a completely different spotlight as a contestant on the reality TV series 'Joe Millionaire,' demonstrating the multifaceted life of a modern athlete. Her journey underscores the sheer will required to reach the Olympic stage and the diverse paths athletes can forge afterward.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Monica was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Monica Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Monica's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won an Olympic bronze medal in the Women's Team Saber event at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.
- Earned a gold medal in the team saber event at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
- Secured a national championship title in women's saber at the 2015 NCAA Championships while at Penn State.
Did You Know?
She initially wanted to be a veterinarian before fully committing to fencing.
Aksamit tore her ACL just months before the 2016 Olympic Trials but recovered in time to compete and qualify.
She appeared on the reality TV show 'Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer' in 2022.
“I had to fight for everything. Nothing was ever given to me.”
