Anna Smirnova is a Russian fencer who specializes in sabre. She is one of the top-ranked fencers in the world and has won several medals at international competitions. She is also known for her controversial gesture at the 2023 World Fencing Championships, where she refused to shake hands with her Ukrainian opponent Olga Kharlan after losing to her.
Early Life, Age & Birthday
Anna Smirnova was born on May 24, 2000, in Barnaul, Russia. As of 2023, she is 23 years old. She started fencing at the age of seven and was coached by Valerian Vladimirovich Feoktistov. She showed great talent and potential in the sport and soon became a member of the Russian national team.
BIO/WIKI
| Full Name | Anna Sergeevna Smirnova |
| Profession | Fencer |
| Weapon | Sabre |
| Hand | Right-handed |
| Age (as of 2023) | 23 years old |
| Birthday | May 24, 2000 |
| Birthplace | Barnaul, Russia |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Gender | Female |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Siblings | One Brother |
| Parents | Father: Mr. Smirnova Mother: Mrs. Smirnova |
| smirnova_any | |
| Boyfriend | Will Update |
| Height | In Feet: 5′ 7″ In Centimeters: 170 cm In Meters: 1.7 m |
| Weight | In Kilograms: 58 kg In Pounds: 127 lbs. |
| Eyes Color | Hazel |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Trainer | Valerian Vladimirovich Feoktistov |
| Net Worth | USD 150 Thousand |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
Early & Fencing Career
Anna Smirnova made her debut at the senior level in 2018 when she competed at the European Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia. She won a bronze medal in the individual event and a silver medal in the team event. She also participated in the World Championships in Wuxi, China, where she finished ninth in the individual event and fourth in the team event.
In 2019, Anna Smirnova continued to impress with her performances at various tournaments. She won a gold medal at the World Cup in Salt Lake City, USA, and a silver medal at the Grand Prix in Moscow, Russia. She also won a bronze medal at the European Games in Minsk, Belarus, and a gold medal at the Universiade in Naples, Italy.
In 2020, Anna Smirnova qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, where she was expected to be one of the favorites for the sabre title. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Olympics were postponed to 2021. Smirnova did not compete in any events in 2020 due to the suspension of international fencing activities.
In 2021, Smirnova resumed her fencing career and participated in several events leading up to the Olympics. She won a gold medal at the World Cup in Budapest, Hungary, and a bronze medal at the Grand Prix in Cairo, Egypt. She also won a silver medal at the European Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Controversies & Ban
At the Tokyo Olympics, Smirnova represented Russia as an individual neutral athlete (INA), as Russia was banned from using its name, flag, and anthem due to doping violations. She reached the quarterfinals of the individual event, where she faced Kharlan. The match was tense and close, with Smirnova losing by a single point (14-15).
After the match, Smirnova extended her hand to Kharlan, but Kharlan refused to shake it and instead offered her sabre blade. Smirnova was offended by this gesture and staged a sit-in protest on the piste for about 45 minutes. She also filed an appeal to disqualify Kharlan for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The appeal was accepted by the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and Kharlan was disqualified from the competition. Smirnova advanced to the semifinals by default but lost to Sofia Pozdniakova of Russia (INA). She then lost to Manon Brunet of France in the bronze medal match and finished fourth.
Personal Life, Boyfriend, and Family
Anna Smirnova is currently single and does not have a boyfriend. She is active on Instagram, where she has over 50k followers. She often posts photos of herself fencing or posing with her brother or friends.
She is also outspoken about her political views and supports the Russian government’s actions in Ukraine. She has posted photos of herself wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “Crimea is ours” and holding a flag of Novorossiya, a self-proclaimed state that consists of parts of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists. She has also expressed admiration for Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad.
What Happened between Anna Smirnova and Olga Kharlan?
Anna Smirnova and Olga Kharlan are two fencers who competed against each other at the 2023 World Fencing Championships in Milan, Italy. They were involved in a controversy that resulted in Kharlan’s disqualification from the tournament.
The controversy happened after their quarterfinal match in the women’s sabre individual event. Kharlan, who represented Ukraine, won the match by a score of 15-7 against Smirnova, who represented Russia as an individual neutral athlete (INA). However, when Smirnova approached Kharlan to shake hands, as is customary in fencing, Kharlan refused to do so and instead offered her sabre blade to tap with Smirnova’s. This gesture was seen as disrespectful and unsportsmanlike by Smirnova and the Russian delegation.
Anna Smirnova then filed an appeal to the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to disqualify Kharlan for violating the rules of etiquette and fair play. She also staged a sit-in protest on the piste for about 45 minutes, refusing to leave until her appeal was heard. The FIE accepted Smirnova’s appeal and issued a black card to Kharlan, which meant that she was expelled from the competition and also banned from the team event.
The reason behind Kharlan’s refusal to shake hands with Smirnova was related to the political conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Kharlan is a vocal critic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has expressed her support for the Ukrainian army and people. She has also refused to shake hands with any Russian or Belarusian athlete since then, as a sign of protest and solidarity. Smirnova, on the other hand, is a supporter of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and has praised the Russian soldiers on social media. She has also posed with Russian military personnel in uniform, including her brother.
Net Worth and Achievements
Anna Smirnova has an estimated net worth of USD 150 thousand as of 2023. She earns money from prize money, sponsorships, endorsements, and other sources.
Smirnova has won several medals and awards throughout her fencing career. Some of her notable achievements are:
- Gold medal at the 2019 Universiade in Naples, Italy (individual and team).
- Gold medal at the 2019 World Cup in Salt Lake City, USA (individual).
- Silver medal at the 2019 Grand Prix in Moscow, Russia (individual).
- Silver medal at the 2018 European Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia (team).
- Bronze medal at the 2019 European Games in Minsk, Belarus (individual).
- Bronze medal at the 2018 European Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia (individual).
- Bronze medal at the 2021 Grand Prix in Cairo, Egypt (individual).
- Fourth place at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics (individual).
Some Facts About Anna Smirnova
- Anna Smirnova started fencing at the age of seven and was coached by Valerian Vladimirovich Feoktistov.
- Anna made her debut at the senior level in 2018 when she competed at the European Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia.
- She won a bronze medal in the individual event and a silver medal in the team event.
- Anna qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, where she represented Russia as an individual neutral athlete (INA), as Russia was banned from using its name, flag, and anthem due to doping violations.
- Her refusal to shake hands with Kharlan sparked a diplomatic row between Russia and Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian government called for Kharlan’s reinstatement and accused Russia of playing dirty.
- The Russian government defended Smirnova’s right to appeal and accused Ukraine of politicizing sports.
- Anna Smirnova is a supporter of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and has expressed her admiration for Russian soldiers on social media.
- She has also posed with Russian military personnel in uniform, including her brother.
- Anna Smirnova uses a sabre, which is a type of sword that has a curved blade and a guard.
- Sabre fencing is fast and aggressive and allows hits with the edge of the blade as well as the tip.
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