Rest in Peace. Olympic Fencer Kamara James Passes Away at 29.

Kamara James, Rest in Peace


Kamara James was born in Jamaica in 1984. She immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 10 and lived in Queens, NY for most of her life. James began fencing at the age of ten, thanks to the Peter Westbrook Foundation, an organization which offers fencing lessons to inner-city children.

James went on win a bronze medal at the junior world championships in 2003 and also competed in the 2004 Olympics, while attending Princeton University.

According to a statement issued by USA Fencing President Don Anthony,

Kamara James was one of the brightest, precocious, self-assured young people I ever met. From her time as a very young fencer at the Peter Westbrook Foundation to her years at Princeton as an accomplished Olympian she remained warm, caring and confident. Kamara’s untimely passing leaves our fencing community very saddened and her spirit, charm and wit will be dearly missed.

No details have been released regarding a memorial service.