At just 25 years old, Curtis McDowald has already accomplished much as an epee fencer on the cadet, junior, and senior levels. His best results include a bronze medal from the Buenos Aires Senior World Cup, bronze at Pan American Zonals, and a top 8 finish at the 2018 World Championships in Wuxi, China, making Curtis the youngest American in Epee to win a medal at a World Cup, and the first African American in Epee to rank in the top 8 of the World rankings.  

Curtis has been a key member in qualifying the U.S. Men's Epee Team for the 2021 Olympic Games, something that hasn't been done since 2004. Currently ranked 2nd in the United States and 24th in the world, Curtis has a very strong chance to qualify and medal at the Olympic Games this summer.

 

He started fencing at the Peter Westbrook Foundation at 12 years old when he was introduced to fencing by his mother. Curtis is coached by Fencers Club coach Alexey Cheremsky and continues to be a valuable member of the FC community.

 

More important than his achievements, fencing has been a vehicle for developing his personal character. He has learned how to stay disciplined and focused, resilient, and the importance of giving back to the community as much as he can. He is proud to have the opportunity to volunteer his time as a coach and mentor for nearly ten years at the Peter Westbrook Foundation. With a strong sense of responsibility, he wants to give back to the sport modeling the mentorship and support he received from his role models Dwight Smith, Ben Bratton, Adam Rodney, and Donovan Holtz.

 

Curtis has been able to connect with fencers young and old, all over the country, many of them minorities, and some international - extending encouragement and coaching to a broader diverse community.