Flash of the blade. Self-narrative and fencing - between heroism and sporting celebrity

This article aims to analyse the autobiographical works of three undisputed and famous Italian fencing champions: Aldo Nadi, Valentina Vezzali and Aldo Montano. The analysis seeks to understand the ways in which the three authors/fencers constructed, elaborated and publicly presented their own selves, with the set of evaluations, judgements, values and symbols through which they defined their identity as sport champions, in connection with the existential and historical contexts they experienced. The study also aims to understand how the symbolic framework outlined compares with the prevailing socio-cultural meanings linked to the dimension of sporting agonism, combining with the collective criteria for defining actions or qualities in line with heroism or sporting celebrity. The conceptual dimensions examined are: biography as a path of growth and sports and personal awareness; the values linked to the body of the successful athlete; the dynamics of status and prestige connected to sports results; the relationship with the spectacular or commercial version of sport and celebrity.