Svitlana Bryzgalova

My name is Svitlana Bryzgalova. I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine.

My Story

I had a happy life in Ukraine for fourteen years, going to school with my friends and discovering my passion for fencing. I love my parents, and spending time with them has always been my greatest joy. I feel especially fortunate because they are also my coaches. With their guidance, I became a competitive fencer and began dreaming of one day competing at the World Championships.

In February 2022, everything changed when the Russian army invaded my country. My mother and I were forced to leave Ukraine, and we spent several months in Poland seeking safety. Later, with the help of Coach Alex, I was able to come to the United States and enroll at Beaver Country Day School.

I am deeply grateful for all the support I have received. I love my new school—the teachers are kind, the students are welcoming, and the curriculum is engaging and inspiring. I am also happy to continue pursuing my fencing passion at Dynamo Fencing Center.

Although I am grateful for the opportunities I now have, I hope the war will end soon so that I can return home to Ukraine.