Best friends with Hamilton – the man ‘ruffling feathers’ in fencing

A Star is Born

Miles Chamley-Watson, 36, has long been a standout in the world of fencing, earning accolades over a decade of competition. His journey includes three Olympic appearances, with a team bronze in 2016 and a historic foil gold in 2013, making him the first American male to claim an individual world title. However, his path to fame took an unexpected turn when he met Lewis Hamilton at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, a moment that would redefine his career. At the Met Gala nine years prior, the London-born American fencer found himself seated between pop icons Madonna and Rihanna, creating an unusual spotlight. His friendship with Hamilton, now dubbed a “brother” bond, has since become a defining chapter in his life.

“I was like: ‘Wow, what am I doing here?'” recalls Chamley-Watson. “It was wild – I’d watched these people and grown up listening to them, and I was at the same table. You realise everybody here is the best at what they do. It was really, really cool. That was my first taste of celebrity stardom.”

From Fencing to Fame

Chamley-Watson’s career took a pivot after the 2012 London Olympics, when he ventured into fashion modeling. This shift brought him into a new realm of public attention, marked by collaborations with luxury brands and a campaign featuring supermodel Claudia Schiffer. His social media presence, under the handle @fencer, has grown exponentially, showcasing his life alongside Hamilton in destinations like Las Vegas. “My life is so insane,” he admits. “I want to tell my team-mates and want to talk to them about it, but it’s just so unrelatable. Even for me, it’s really nuts.”

Breaking Barriers

Raised in London, Chamley-Watson’s early years were filled with challenges. Struggling with ADHD and frequent school expulsions, he was granted a place at a Manhattan private school under the condition of participating in tennis, badminton, or fencing. Choosing fencing, he found a niche that transformed his life. “If you think about fencing, we’re sword-fighting,” he explains, noting his English accent persists despite years abroad. “I was like: ‘Sick, this is the coolest sport there is.'”

“Growing up, there was nobody that looked like me,” he adds. “But once I started winning, it didn’t really matter where I came from. You put your mask on and we’re all the same. That’s why fencing is so unique. It’s like Bruce Wayne turning into Batman. You put your mask on and you feel you can do anything you want. But I did not feel comfortable at all. I’ve been dealing with racism in the sport since I was 14.”

A New Era in Fencing

Chamley-Watson’s latest endeavor, the World Fencing League, aims to reshape the sport’s image. Launching this weekend in Los Angeles, the league features 12 top fencers divided into teams, vying for a $100,000 prize. By introducing modified scoring and AI blade-tracking tech, the event seeks to make fencing more accessible and visually engaging. “You have to ruffle some feathers to really make a massive change in the sport,” he acknowledges. Critics, however, question the innovation, arguing it may dilute traditional aspects of the discipline.

Reimagining the Sport

Chamley-Watson envisions a future where fencing transcends its niche status, inspiring diverse groups to take up the sport. His goal is to create a platform where “boys, girls, brown, black, anyone from all walks of life” can find their place. While some traditionalists resist the changes, he remains steadfast in his mission to elevate fencing’s profile through creativity and modernity.