Kruz Schembri
Kruz Schembri on Monday secured his place in sports history, winning gold in men’s épée at the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay, and becoming the first athlete from the U.S. Virgin Islands to claim a Pan American title at either the junior or senior level.
Schembri, 18, dominated his preliminary rounds to enter the elimination bracket as the top seed, ultimately defeating Brazil’s Matheus Stuermer Brandt in the final. The victory capped off a stellar year for the young fencer, who earlier in 2025 won double gold in foil and épée at the Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championships in Guatemala and topped the podium at the Pan American Cadets and Juniors Championships.
His international experience includes competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics at just 17 years old, finishing 35th in foil. Born and raised in Florida but deeply connected to St. Croix through his mother, Schembri has spent time on the island introducing young people to fencing, helping grow the sport in a place where it is still developing.
The win in Paraguay is not only a personal milestone but also a major breakthrough for the USVI sporting community. It marks the territory’s first Pan American gold medal, bringing unprecedented visibility to its fencing program and demonstrating that athletes from small island nations can succeed on the international stage.
Schembri’s performance at the Junior Pan American Games is also significant because of what it could mean for his future career. With his victory, he has proven himself against the best young fencers in the Americas, setting the stage for further success at the senior level and potential future Olympic appearances.
The 2025 Junior Pan American Games, now in only its second edition, feature athletes from 41 nations competing in 28 sports. The USVI sent a nine-athlete delegation to this year’s Games, with competitors in athletics, triathlon, tennis, and swimming alongside fencing.
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