Gemma Collis-McCann

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Gemma Collis-McCann (born 10 October 1992) is a British Paralympic wheelchair fencer who has competed in the Paralympics in 2012, 2016 and 2020, and has qualified for Paris 2024. She is an 18-time World Cup medallist and a European silver medallist. She also serves as vice-chair of the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation’s Wheelchair Fencing Athletes’ Council and sits on IWAS’s Gender Equity Commission.

Gemma grew up in Buckinghamshire as a talented multi-sport athlete, hoping to compete in London 2012. In 2008, at age 15, she developed complex regional pain syndrome in her right leg, which left her using a wheelchair or crutches. After that, she focused on coaching, officiating and volunteering in sport, while continuing to compete.

In 2011 she began fencing after being encouraged at Durham University by Laszlo Jakab, who would become a close friend and witness at her wedding. She competed in London 2012 Paralympics, finishing sixth in the team event with Gabi Down and Justine Moore.

In 2016 she finished eighth in the Women’s Category A Épée at Rio. In 2017 she had her right leg amputated due to CRPS. She married fellow Briton Craig McCann in July 2017; the couple divorced in 2020, and she competes under the name Gemma Collis-McCann.

In 2018 she won her first World Cup gold in Montreal, beating Zsuzsanna Krajnyak 15–13 in the final. In 2021 she was named as part of the British wheelchair fencing team for the delayed Tokyo Games. At Tokyo 2020 she competed in both épée and sabre, finishing 10th and 13th respectively.

In 2023 she won World Cup gold in Pisa, defeating Yuandong Chen and rising to World No. 1 for the first time. She also defeated the reigning Paralympic and European champion Amarilla Veres in the semi-finals.

Gemma has played a key role beyond competition, helping to advance equality and governance in wheelchair fencing through IWAS, including joining the Gender Equity Commission in 2021 and contributing to a 2022 IWAS World Conference poster about how disability sport can empower women. She remains focused on Paris 2024 and continuing her impact in the sport.