Mathilde Grumier

Growing up in a modest family in Nevers, Mathilde was introduced to the sport not through the rigid structures of a "sport-study" program, but through the passionate guidance of her father. Unlike many high-level athletes who move to specialized boarding schools at a young age, Mathilde remained in her hometown until she was 20. This grounded upbringing allowed her to develop a personality that her friends and competitors often described as "impulsive, determined, and funny."

Rise to Professional Fencing

Mathilde’s breakthrough came in 2007. At age 20, she secured a major title as the French Junior Champion and followed it up with a spectacular gold medal at the Junior World Championships in the team event. This victory signaled the arrival of a new force in French épée.

Between 2007 and 2013, she was a staple of the French National Team ("Groupe France"). Her career highlights include:

• 2009: French University Champion.

• 2010: Silver medalist at the European U23 Championships.

• 2011: Gold medalist at the Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China. This was one of her proudest moments, as it was the second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympics.

Academic and Professional Ambition

One of the most remarkable aspects of Mathilde's biography is her dedication to "double-tracking"—pursuing a high-level sports career while maintaining rigorous academic standards. She studied Law for two years before moving to Bordeaux to join the EFAP communication school. When the French national training center (Pôle France) moved to Paris (INSEP), she seamlessly transitioned her studies.

Later, she joined ESPEME (EDHEC Business School), utilizing their e-learning programs designed for elite athletes. She was a vocal advocate for the European Anti-Doping Initiative and served as an ambassador for the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck.

Personal Life and Character

Mathilde was known for her "sparkling" personality. In interviews, she admitted to being a perfectionist, sometimes susceptible to the pressures of the sport, but always grounded by her values: truth, family, and laughter. She was an avid reader of Epictetus, finding solace in Stoic philosophy to balance her naturally impulsive nature.

Later in life, she married Antoine Marteau and became a devoted mother to two sons, Basile and Ernest. Her transition from the fencing piste to professional life in communication and family management was a testament to her versatile nature.

A Tragic Farewell

In late March 2026, the fencing world was shocked by the news of her passing at the young age of 38. The French Fencing Federation (FFE) and the Levallois Sporting Club paid moving tributes to her, remembering her not just as a champion of the blade, but as a champion of life. Her funeral in Puteaux was attended by the elite of the sporting world, honoring a woman who gave her heart to the sport of fencing.

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