BIOGRAPHY

Gary van der Wege grew up in Michigan and got involved with the sport of fencing with his two older brothers then got serious about the sport when he moved to Austin, Texas in the last 1970s. In 1995, Gary was involved in a severe motorcycle accident that put him on crutches and in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Following the accident, he began coaching and officiating when, in 2000, he learned he was eligible for the National Wheelchair Fencing Team. Gary began training immediately and captured the US Fencing Association Summer Nationals wheelchair fencing title each year from 2002 – 2005. Gary was a member of the 2002 US Team in the World Championships in Budapest as well as the 2004 U.S. Paralympic Team in Athens, Greece. Gary was also the first person in the U.S. to be certified as both Armorer and National level referee.

Athletic Achievements

• 1st Place at US Fencing Association Summer Nationals Wheelchair Foil - 2006
• Member of the 2004 Paralympian in Athens Greece
• Member of the US Team at the 2002 World Championships
• 1st Place at US Fencing Association Summer Nationals Wheelchair Epe - 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005