I may be a Dartmouth student, but I have to give it up to fellow Ivy Leaguer James L. Williams, a Columbia ’07 alumnus, for winning a silver medal in fencing at the Beijing Olympics.

 Fenciing.net reports,

Fencing in his first Olympic bout, James Williams went right after the more experienced French fencers. "Surpisingly, I didn't feel very nervous. I was actually more nervous watching. It's all very surreal and hasn't really set in yet." Earlier in the year Williams had been within one touch of Pillet in world cup competition, losing a direct elimination bout 15-14.

This result marks the 6th fencing medal won by the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and the 26th overall medal in US fencing history. The United States came in 2nd in overall fencing medal count behind Italy's 7. France is 3rd with 4 medals.

Congrats, James! You’ve singlehandedly proven that Ivy League students not only possess dizzying intellects but also world-class athletic prowess.
 

Oh, and special thanks to the anonymous tipster who supplied me with the candid photos of the Ivy League hero gallivanting around Beijing.