Origins & Early Life

Aldo Nadi (29 April 1899 – 10 November 1965) was an Italian fencing champion. Aldo was born into a fencing family in Livorno, Italy, and both Aldo and his brother Nedo Nadi were fencers from a very young age. They were both taught foil and sabre in the classical Italian school of swordsmanship by their father, Beppe Nadi, who believed the épée to be an "undisciplined" weapon and refused to teach it. The brothers therefore practiced épée by themselves.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1920, at the age of 21, Nadi won gold medals at the Olympics in team foil, team épée, and team sabre. He also won a silver medal in individual sabre, second only to his brother Nedo. Nadi emigrated to the United States in 1935. He taught fencing in New York City from 1935 to 1943, and in 1943 published a book On Fencing. Also in 1943, he relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he continued to teach fencing in his own school, in addition to occasionally coaching actors for fencing scenes in films.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He made a film appearance, as a bodyguard in To Have and Have Not (1944), starring Humphrey Bogart. Nadi was known for his real-life duels. At the 1920 Olympics, he fought Italian weightlifter Filippo Bottino with a riding...

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• 1899 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1899
• April 29 (04-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 29
• 1965 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1965
• November 10 (11-10) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 10