Ralph Cooperman

Born into the Jewish community of North London, Ralph Cooperman took up fencing whilst completing military service in the Royal Air Force. He was British sabre champion three times and represented his country at world and Olympic level for over a decade but his main successes came at Commonwealth Games and Maccabiah Games level. Cooperman was a multiple medallist at the Maccabiah Games over a twenty year span and, between 1954 and 1966, won seven golds, two silvers and a bronze for England at the Commonwealth Games. At both the 1962 and 1966 Commonwealth Games he was individual sabre champion whilst his other five titles came in team events. He was also involved in the early days of the Paralympic movement and taught some of the first wheelchair fencers.