LAUSANNE, Switz., July 31, 2024 – The FIE is saddened to learn of the passing of Maitre Nicolas Lullien (FRA) on July 25 at the age of 77. Under his leadership, his club, Tour d’Auvergne, won 14 medals at World Championships, multiple victories in World Cup competitions and three world championship titles in different categories by his students, Olivier Lambert, Antoinette Willard and Laurent Bel. Five Olympic athlete selections resulted from his coaching.
Lullien was awarded the Medal of Honour of the French Fencing Federation for his “remarkable human and pedagogical qualities and the brilliant results obtained by the licensees of his only club, the Tour d’Auvergne in Paris”, presented in 2023.
Following retirement, in 2023 his club was quoted about his award: “We are happy, proud and grateful that the French Fencing Federation honors a man who has embodied excellence in the world of fencing. Nicolas Lullien is a fencing master and an exceptional man, whose talent and passion have left an unforgettable mark on the history of the club and on all the students and colleagues who have had the chance to meet him and benefit from his teaching.”
In all, with his club, more than 109 medals, including 35 titles, were won by Laurent Bel, Christophe Bel, Antoinette Willard, Cyril Lacroix, Christina Cerny, Julie Anne Gross and Xavier Ali, among other members.
Lullien was also called a “literary man passionate about ancient and artistic fencing, and he set up ‘La Salle d’Armes’ at the Tour d’Auergne, which became the leading club in France for artistic fencing.”
The FIE extends its sincere condolences for their loss to Nicolas Lullien’s family and friends, the French Fencing Federation and the European Fencing Confederation, and expresses its deepest sympathy during this difficult time.