Shamel Crowned Men's Epee National Champion

Sunday, March 22

South Bend, Ind.

8:00 A.M. EST

North Carolina

NCAA Championships

Youssef Shamel Wins National Championships

Photo by: Walker Brooks

March 22, 2026 | Fencing

By: Walker Brooks

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - For the first time in 43 years, Carolina crowns an individual national champion in fencing as Youssef Shamel won the 2026 Men's Epee Individual National Championship on Sunday in Notre Dame. Shamel is the second national champion in program history.

"Youssef is one of the kindest and most enthusiastic people, both in our program and in life," said UNC head fencing coach Matt Jednak. "His work ethic is amazing. I am so glad that he had the opportunity not only to compete here, but also to do well. I'm excited for him and what's next for him."

Shamel has only been on campus for three months and has already made history. His career started off by winning the Atlantic Coast Conference Fencer of the Week, and his list of accolades grew from there. Shamel introduced himself to the fencing world when he won the ACC Championship and was named Most Valuable Fencer of the championships.

After the conference championships, the team headed to Haverford, Pennsylvania, for the Mid-Atlantic/South Regional as Shamel punched his ticket to the national championships by becoming the first-ever regional champion for the Tar Heels.

On day two of NCAAs, Shamel continued to win. But, as the day progressed, the coveted final spot in the "Top Four" grew tighter. Shamel battled with the reigning national champion, Mo Elsayed from Long Island, and Shamel took him down, earning a spot in the semifinals.

Elsayed and Youseff faced off again in the semifinals, and Shamel emerged victorious, as he jumped out to a 6-2 lead and then closed out on a 9-5 run to punch his ticket to the finals, winning 15-7.

The finals were a rematch between Shamel and Kruz Schembri, the Olympian and Notre Dame freshman. As in the conference finals, Shamel prevailed. Youseff started strong, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Shamel kept extending his margin; although Schembri cut it to 10-6, Shamel closed with a 5-1 run to win 15-7.

Shamel is the first Carolina fencer to win a national championship and an Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

On men's foil, Peter Bruk tied the best finish by a Carolina men's foil fencer in NCAA Championships history. Kevin Bruen achieved this feat in 1994. Bruk is bringing home First-Team All-America honors.

Bruk came into the day fighting for the final spot in the "Top Four." Bruk closed out the final round of pool play with an impressive 3-1 record, which helped clinch the final spot in the semifinals, including taking down the reigning NCAA Champion, Chase Emmer from Notre Dame.

Bruk was the last fencer into the semifinals as he was tied with two other fencers with 15 wins, but was able to advance with the number of "Touches Scored" with 96. The sophomore faced Emmer but ultimately fell 15-11.

Elden Wood also wrapped up his Tar Heel fencing career with his second straight All-American honor as he finished in 11th. Wood won tweleve bout over the two days.

The men finished seventh as a team with 43 points in the first-ever men's national championship.