On the fencing piste, everything moves fast - the clash of blades, the split-second decisions, the quiet intensity that builds before a bout. But for some Varsity Blues fencers, the experience carries an added layer of meaning. Alongside teammates and coaches stands someone who knows them better than anyone else: a sister.
For Anna and Lilla Mucsi, and Janna and Salma Elshakankirri, fencing at the University of Toronto has been a shared journey defined by growth, trust, and the rare opportunity to chase excellence together.
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(Lilla and Anna Mucsi pose at practice in February 2026 | Photo by Barry McCluskey)
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Having her younger sister, Lilla, on the Varsity Blues fencing team has been a constant source of pride and connection for Anna. Practices and competitions that might otherwise feel solitary instead become shared experiences, anchored by mutual support.
"I'm so grateful to have had my sister on the varsity team these past few years," Anna says. "Fencing for the same team means we get to share our wins and guarantees we're always there to root for the other person at a competition."
For Lilla, that experience has been equally meaningful, and occasionally daunting. Joining the team alongside her older sister meant stepping into an environment where Anna was already a leader, a former captain, and a familiar presence.
"Being on the team with Anna has been incredible, as she's my best friend and one of my biggest supporters," Lilla says. "But there was also a bit of pressure. Everyone knows and loves my sister, and when you're repping the same last name, you want to live up to that."
Rather than weighing her down, that sense of legacy pushed Lilla forward. Wanting to represent the same kindness, joy, and sportsmanship Anna brings to the sport has shaped her growth as both a competitor and teammate.
For Lilla, new to the university team environment, having her sister there made all the difference, from learning team traditions to embracing the rituals that bind the Blues together.
"She helped introduce me to everything," Lilla recalls. "Our team cheer, painting our nails for the event - it's different when you're working toward the same goal on the same team."
On the piste, the sisters' relationship is defined by intensity and familiarity. Fencing each other produces some of their fastest, most demanding bouts. Anna admits she once feared how it might feel to lose to her sister, but the reality was far from disappointment.
"When it finally happened, I wasn't upset," Anna says. "I was just happy to see her doing so well."
Over time, their styles have even begun to converge. Lilla notes that training alongside Anna has reshaped her own approach to fencing.
"When I watch my recent matches, I swear it's like watching Anna," she says. "It shows how big of an impact she's had on me."
That bond came full circle during the 2025 OUA Championships, when Lilla anchored the final bout in the team match. As she stepped off the strip following the victory, Anna was there waiting - pride, relief, and joy wrapped into one embrace. For Lilla, sharing that moment with her sister made reclaiming the OUA banner even more meaningful.
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(Salma and Janna Elshakankirri pose at practice in February 2026 | Photo by Barry McCluskey)
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A similar sense of shared strength defines the Varsity Blues experience of Janna and Salma Elshakankirri. For Janna, having her sister beside her has meant never navigating the emotional demands of fencing alone.
"Sharing the Varsity Blues experience with my sister has been a huge source of support," Janna says. "She understands the pressure, emotions, and work that go into fencing in a way no one else truly can."
That understanding was forged early. At the 2019 National Championships, representing Saskatchewan, the sisters competed together for the first time on a major stage. They delivered a dramatic comeback in the semifinals, rallying from a 31–40 deficit to win 45–42 on their way to a silver medal.
"That was when I truly realized how special it was to compete alongside my sister," Janna says.
Though united in competitiveness, Janna and Salma differ sharply in style. Janna is calm and introspective, preferring quiet focus, while Salma is energetic and expressive, feeding off momentum and emotion. Their differences complement one another, making them a powerful pair on the piste.
That partnership was tested during the 2025 OUA Championships, when the Varsity Blues team final came down to a single touch. Battling through injury, Janna leaned heavily on Salma's presence.
"When we won 45–44, she was the first person to run onto the piste and hug me," Janna recalls. "Hearing her cheering me on is something I value deeply."
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(Janna and Salma posing with the championship trophy at the 2025 OUA championship | Photo provided by Jann Elshakankiri)
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Across both sisterhoods, friendly rivalry fuels growth, but unwavering support defines the relationship. From childhood road trips to university competitions, these shared journeys have shaped not just elite athletes, but lifelong bonds.
In a sport measured by touches and titles, the stories of the Mucsi and Elshakankiri sisters remind us that some victories can't be counted. On the Varsity Blues fencing team, they've found something rarer than medals - the privilege of growing, competing, and succeeding side-by-side, exactly as themselves.
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