Help Ilia Compete in Slovakia

My name is Ilia Tikhonov. I am a 16-year-old fencer honored to have been selected to represent the U.S. national cadet (U17) men's épée team at the designated event in Samorin, Slovakia. This is a dream come true and a testament to years of dedication, hard work, and passion for the sport. Competing at this level is not just an incredible experience but also a critical step toward my goals of excelling in fencing and beyond.

Fencing has been my passion ever since I started at 8 years old. Over the years, I have competed in countless tournaments at various levels, and now I have the chance to compete on the international stage in Samorin, Slovakia. I am deeply thankful to those who have supported me and helped me develop not just as a fencer but also as a person. Thanks to my family, my coaches, and Cardinal Fencing Academy, I have managed to medal multiple times in U.S. national fencing tournaments in my age group. This success is the result of dedication and hard work, guided by the encouragement and expertise of my coaches and family.

However, international competitions come with significant expenses, including travel, equipment, tournament fees, and ensuring my coach and father, Konstantin Tikhonov, can accompany me on this journey. Every donation, no matter the amount, is not just financial assistance—it’s a message of encouragement that reminds me I’m not alone in this pursuit. I promise to give my best effort to make you proud and represent the USA with everything I’ve got. My family and I will share competition results, photos, and my experiences along the way. Your support inspires me to keep pushing forward and to never stop chasing my goals.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story! If you’d like to help me achieve this dream, please click donate. Any amount makes a difference. If you can’t contribute financially, I would greatly appreciate it if you could share my story with your friends and family.