Allan Kwartler
Encyclopedia
Allan S. Kwartler born in New York City
, was an American
sabre
and foil
fencer
.
He was Pan-American sabre
champion, 3-time Olympian
, and twice a member of sabre teams that earned 4th-place in Olympic Games (1952, 1960).
under Bela de Tuscan at age 28. He continued at Michigan State University
under Charles Schmitter, while he earned a degree in 1948 in bacteriology
.
He returned to New York City in 1948, when he joined Salle Santelli. His coaches were Giorgio Santelli
in sabre, and Ed Lucia in foil.
He was the United States
' most consistent 2-weapon fencer in the 1950s and 1960s, a several-times US National Championships finalist in sabre and foil.http://www.fencingonfairfield.com/kwartler_allan.htm
In 1953 he was 2nd in foil in the National Championships; in 1954 he was 2nd in sabre and 4th in foil; in 1956 and 1960 he placed 2nd in sabre; and in 1959 3rd in sabre.
He was nationally ranked 17 times in either foil or sabre between 1951 and 1965, and was a member of 10 U.S. national championship teams.
individual sabre title in Chicago
. He also won team gold medals at the 1955 and 1959 Pan Am Games. He was a silver medalist in team foil and individual foil finalist (5th place) at the 1955 Games. Kwartler also was a finalist in the first Martini-Rossi world cup sabre event (1961).
in Israel, winning the sabre championship in 1950 and the foil in 1953.
.
in Rome
.
Kwartler was chairman of the AFLA
's (predecessor to the current USFA
) Metropolitan Division (1958–60) and AFLA national secretary (1960–63). He remained active in the affairs of the Westchester Division of the USFA and the Empire State Games.
(1965–80),http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:Q9TJEPIigvEJ:media.poly.edu/alumni/cable/pdf/Spring99v26n1.pdf+%22allan+kwartler%22+jewish&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us SUNY
(Purchase), the US Military Academy at West Point, Rockland
Center for the Arts, and the Westchester Fencing Club. He was named USFCA coach of the year in the Middle Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association in 1994.
Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, and the USFA Hall of Fame
in 2001.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sabre
Sabre
The sabre or saber is a kind of backsword that usually has a curved, single-edged blade and a rather large hand guard, covering the knuckles of the hand as well as the thumb and forefinger...
and foil
Foil (fencing)
A foil is a type of weapon used in fencing. It is the most common weapon in terms of usage in competition, and is usually the choice for elementary classes for fencing in general.- Components:...
fencer
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
.
He was Pan-American sabre
Sabre
The sabre or saber is a kind of backsword that usually has a curved, single-edged blade and a rather large hand guard, covering the knuckles of the hand as well as the thumb and forefinger...
champion, 3-time Olympian
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
, and twice a member of sabre teams that earned 4th-place in Olympic Games (1952, 1960).
Fencing career
Kwartler began fencing at Wayne State UniversityWayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
under Bela de Tuscan at age 28. He continued at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
under Charles Schmitter, while he earned a degree in 1948 in bacteriology
Bacteriology
Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. This subdivision of microbiology involves the identification, classification, and characterization of bacterial species...
.
He returned to New York City in 1948, when he joined Salle Santelli. His coaches were Giorgio Santelli
Giorgio Santelli
Maestro Giorgio Santelli was a fencer and fencing master who was the largest mid-20th century influence in raising the quality and popularity of fencing in the United States, and creator of one of the best-known fencing equipment manufacturers.Born in Budapest, Hungary, but always keeping his...
in sabre, and Ed Lucia in foil.
He was the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' most consistent 2-weapon fencer in the 1950s and 1960s, a several-times US National Championships finalist in sabre and foil.http://www.fencingonfairfield.com/kwartler_allan.htm
In 1953 he was 2nd in foil in the National Championships; in 1954 he was 2nd in sabre and 4th in foil; in 1956 and 1960 he placed 2nd in sabre; and in 1959 3rd in sabre.
He was nationally ranked 17 times in either foil or sabre between 1951 and 1965, and was a member of 10 U.S. national championship teams.
Pan American Games and Martini-Rossi
His best international success was winning the 1959 Pan American GamesPan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
individual sabre title in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He also won team gold medals at the 1955 and 1959 Pan Am Games. He was a silver medalist in team foil and individual foil finalist (5th place) at the 1955 Games. Kwartler also was a finalist in the first Martini-Rossi world cup sabre event (1961).
Maccabiah Games
In 1950 and 1953 Kwartler, who was Jewish, was selected for the Maccabiah GamesMaccabiah Games
The Maccabiah is an international Jewish athletic event similar to the Olympics held in Israel every four years under the auspices of the Maccabi Federation, affiliated with the Maccabi World Union. The Maccabiah Games is the third largest international sports competition in the world...
in Israel, winning the sabre championship in 1950 and the foil in 1953.
Veteran Fencing
Kwartler was the veterans champion in sabre several times at the Empire State GamesEmpire State Games
The Empire State Games are a set of annual Olympic-style competitions for amateur athletes from the state of New York, encompassing several divisions and allowing athletes of all ages to compete. It was a member of the National Congress of State Games...
.
Official and Fencing Association
He was a widely-respected official, and presided at the individual sabre finals in the 1960 Summer Olympics1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
Kwartler was chairman of the AFLA
Amateur Fencers League of America
The Amateur Fencers League of America, or AFLA, was founded on April 22, 1891 in New York City by a group of fencers seeking independence from the Amateur Athletic Union. As early as 1940, the AFLA was recognized by the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime and the United States Olympic Committee...
's (predecessor to the current USFA
USFA
USFA may refer to:* U.S. Fire Arms Manufacturing Company* United States Football Alliance* United States Fencing Association* United States Fire Administration, a United States government agency* United States Food Administration...
) Metropolitan Division (1958–60) and AFLA national secretary (1960–63). He remained active in the affairs of the Westchester Division of the USFA and the Empire State Games.
Coaching
Kwartler was also a widely respected coach, who coached in the methods of the Italian School for sabre, foil, and épée fencing. He coached at Salle Santelli, Brooklyn PolyPolytechnic University of New York
The Polytechnic Institute of New York University, often referred to as Polytechnic Institute of NYU, NYU Polytechnic, or NYU-Poly, is the engineering and applied sciences affiliate of New York University...
(1965–80),http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:Q9TJEPIigvEJ:media.poly.edu/alumni/cable/pdf/Spring99v26n1.pdf+%22allan+kwartler%22+jewish&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us SUNY
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
(Purchase), the US Military Academy at West Point, Rockland
Rockland
-Places:In Canada*Rockland, Greater Victoria*Rockland, Nova Scotia*Rockland, OntarioIn the United States*Rockland, California*Rockland, Delaware*Rockland, Idaho*Rockland, Maine*Rockland, Massachusetts*Rockland, New York*Rockland County, New York...
Center for the Arts, and the Westchester Fencing Club. He was named USFCA coach of the year in the Middle Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association in 1994.
Death
Allan Kwartler died on November 11, 1998, and was survived by his wife, Connie, his son and two daughters, and four grandchildren.Halls of Fame
He was inducted into the Yonkers Hall of Fame in 1980, the WestchesterWestchester
Westchester may refer to:*Westchester, Connecticut*Westchester, Florida*Westchester, Illinois*Westchester, Indiana*Westchester, Los Angeles, California*Westchester County, New York*The Westchester, a shopping mall in White Plains, New York...
Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, and the USFA Hall of Fame
USFA Hall of Fame
This is a list of the members of the United States Fencing Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame itself is on display at the Museum of American Fencing, in Shreveport, Louisiana.-1963-1978:...
in 2001.