Peter Jonathan Westbrook
(April 16, 1952 – November 29, 2024)
The first Black American to win an Olympic medal in fencing
He was a distinguished American saber fencer, Olympic bronze medalist, and 13-time national champion. His legacy extends beyond his athletic achievements through his foundation, which has used fencing as a tool to empower underserved youth in New York City. A celebrated figure in the world of sports and education, Westbrook’s career spanned over three decades, during which he became an influential mentor and advocate for minority representation in fencing.
Peter Westbrook was born in St. Louis to Ulysses Jonathan Westbrook, an African-American G.I., and Mariko Wado-Westbrook, a Japanese woman. Raised in Newark, New Jersey, he was introduced to fencing at age 13 by his mother, who hoped the sport would keep him out of trouble. His early training was under Dr. Samuel D’Ambola, leading to his first state title during high school. Westbrook later attended New York University, where he earned a degree in Marketing while becoming an accomplished college fencer under coach Hugo Castello.
His competitive career was marked by groundbreaking achievements, including becoming the first African American to win the U.S. National Men’s Sabre Championship in 1974. Over the years, he claimed 13 national titles and won multiple medals in the Pan American Games, including individual gold in 1983. Westbrook made history as the first African American and Asian American to win an Olympic medal in fencing, securing a bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
In addition to his athletic accolades, Westbrook was deeply committed to giving back to his community. In 1991, he founded the Peter Westbrook Foundation (PWF), which focuses on using fencing to provide academic support and life skills to underprivileged youth in New York City. Under his leadership, the PWF helped produce numerous Olympic fencers, including notable athletes like Ibtihaj Muhammad and Keeth Smart.
Westbrook’s influence extended beyond sports, as he became a role model and advocate for young people from diverse backgrounds. His 1997 memoir, Harnessing Anger: The Way of an American Fencer, chronicled his journey from a challenging childhood in Newark to becoming an Olympic champion and philanthropist. His efforts were recognized through numerous honors, including his induction into the U.S. Fencing Association Hall of Fame and the Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey.
Peter Westbrook passed away on November 29, 2024, at the age of 72 after battling liver cancer. His passing marked the end of an era for both American fencing and the communities he impacted through his foundation. His legacy lives on through the Peter Westbrook Foundation and the generations of athletes and students whose lives were transformed by his dedication to excellence, both on and off the fencing strip.
The major awards and honors Peter Westbrook received throughout his life:
- 13-time U.S. National Men’s Sabre Champion (1974–75, 1979–86, 1988–89, 1995)
- Olympic Bronze Medalist (1984 Los Angeles Olympics)
- Pan American Games Medalist – 11 medals, including 3 gold medals
- First African American to win a National Gold Title in Sabre Fencing (1974)
- Inducted into the Essex County High School Hall of Fame (1981)
- Inducted into the New York University Athletics Hall of Fame (1985)
- Inducted into the U.S. Fencing Association Hall of Fame (1996)
- Inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey (2002)
- Inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame (2003)
- Inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame (2021)
- Inducted into the FIE (International Fencing Federation) Hall of Fame
- Sports Illustrated Magazine: Athlete of the Year Nominee (1984)
- Named a “Great American” by the National Italian American Foundation (2004)
- New Jersey Governor’s Award in the Arts (Various years)
- NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Honored with the Peter Westbrook Foundation’s impact on the development of Olympic Fencers
- A Lifetime Achievement Award from various community and sports organizations
These awards and honors reflect both his exceptional career in fencing and his ongoing contributions to education and community service through his foundation.