Beatrice Maria Adelaide Marzia Vio, better known as Bebe Vio was born in Venice. She is an Italian wheelchair fencer, 2014 and 2016 European champion, 2015 and 2017 World champion, and 2016 Paralympic champion in the foil B category.

In late 2008, when she was 11 years old, she was affected by severe meningitis that caused her an infection and then the amputation of both her legs from the knee, and both her arms from the forearms. After more than three months of intensive rehabilitation she was able to come back to sport.

Medal Record

Summer Paralympics

Gold medal First place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Foil B

Bronze medal Third place 2016 Rio de Janeiro

Vio is a champion wheelchair fencer. She uses a special prosthetics to hold her foil, fencing from the shoulder.

Under the coaching of Federica Berton and Alice Esposito she took part in her first wheelchair fencing competition in 2010. Her experience inspired her parents to found the non-profit organization Art4sport Onlus, which promotes sport for amputee young people.

The 2012 Summer Paralympics were too early in her career for her to take part, but she was chosen a torchbearer for the opening ceremony after an online campaign where more than 1,000 people emailed the International Paralympic Committee to support her candidacy.

She received the America Award of the Italy-USA Foundation in 2018.

Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar did a candid interview with Beatrice Vio, World Wheelchair Fencing Champion, Paralympics Gold Medalist and European champion where she talks about her success story.

Namita Nayyar:

You are the 2016 Paralympic champion in the foil B category and bronze medalist of team foil overcoming the physical challenges. Share your mental & physical strategies to achieve these goals?

Beatrice Vio:

In every part of my life I focuse on the goal and I use all my forces to achieve it.

In particular, during a wheelchair fencing match, I look the opponent into the eyes and I try to stay focused at 100%… sometimes I don’t realize even if I’m in advantage or in disadvantage!

Namita Nayyar:

You have continued to pursue three passions since childhood, which you dub “the three S’s”: school (Scuola in Italian), fencing (scherma), which you took up when you were was five, and scouting (scoutismo). According to you what sets you apart?

Beatrice Vio:

These were the three elements of my life when I was younger. Fencing is still today an essential element and it completely represents me. For me wheelchair fencing is a metaphor of life: you can’t run away, you have to fight against your fears and win.

That’s why I love both wheelchair fencing and life!

Full Interview is Continued on Next Page

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