Fencing is one of the oldest Olympic sports — but until now, it has never had a true professional league. In this episode of the Profluence Sports Podcast, Andrew Petcash sits down with Miles Chamley-Watson, Olympic medalist and three-time Olympian, and Leo Rifkind, investor and co-founder of the World Fencing League, to discuss their mission to bring fencing into the modern sports landscape.

The conversation explores how the World Fencing League plans to transform fencing from a niche Olympic sport into a scalable global league. By introducing AI blade-tracking technology, evolving competition formats, and creating a clear economic pathway for athletes, the WFL aims to make fencing easier for fans to understand while providing professional opportunities for elite competitors.

Miles and Leo also share how they’re building the league from the ground up — from athlete recruitment and rule experimentation to media strategy and brand partnerships. With the WFL debut event set to launch in Los Angeles, the episode highlights the broader vision to bring fencing into the mainstream and create a new era for one of sport’s most historic disciplines.

Podcast Chapters:

02:29 The Evolution of Fencing and Technology

05:04 Understanding the Fencing Ecosystem

10:38 The Future of Fencing: Opportunities and Challenges

16:03 Innovations in Fencing: Rule Changes and Audience Engagement

21:32 Commercialization and Branding in Fencing

26:50 Looking Ahead: The Future of the World Fencing League

Miles and Leo:

Website: https://worldfencingleague.org/

Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-rifkind/

https://www.instagram.com/fencer/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/worldfencingleague/?hl=en

#295: Miles Chamley-Watson & Leo Rifkind - Building the World Fencing League