For Daniel Iliffe, fencing was never really part of the plan. It was simply just there. 

Growing up in Sydney, Australia, Iliffe attended one of the country’s few local primary schools that offered fencing lessons. One day, he decided to give the sport a try. He picked up a saber and quickly fell in love with the sport. 

“I kind of got lucky,” Iliffe told Onward State. “The way I got into fencing was kind of just simply proximity.”

What started as an opportunity at school eventually became a decade-long pursuit that took Iliffe across the world, earned him nine Australian Saber Championships, and helped lead his primary school program to two of its best seasons since 1992. 

Now, Iliffe continues his journey nearly 10,000 miles from home as a member of Penn State’s fencing team.

Before Iliffe arrived in Happy Valley, he captained his primary school’s saber team, despite joining during his final two years of school.

He said earning captain immediately after arriving at his new school presented a unique challenge. Suddenly, Iliffe was expected to lead people he just met.

Although it was difficult, the experience taught Iliffe that leadership begins with trusting yourself.

“You need to take pride in the effort that you put in, and that will give you confidence to explain or help show other people what you’re trying to do,” said Iliffe.

That confidence was crucial, as it helped Iliffe establish a stronger fencing culture at his primary school.

In Australia, fencing is considered a minor sport. Iliffe said fencing was often seen as an activity students did to avoid other sports, such as rugby.

Iliffe wanted to change that perception. 

“When everyone’s taking pride in what they do, they work a lot harder, and they feel better about it,” said Iliffe.

Iliffe quickly recognized that emphasis on culture at Penn State. 

After arriving in Happy Valley, Iliffe was struck by the university’s athletic environment and its resources available to its student-athletes. 

“I think Penn State is probably one of the few places in the world that can absolutely optimize both pursuing your academics and then also athletics,” said Iliffe.

That transition, however, has not been easy. 

As an international student, Iliffe was unfamiliar with the American college recruitment process. He had to figure out how to contact coaches, compile competition results, create videos, take the SAT, and navigate the U.S. visa process. 

“I had absolutely no idea what to do,” said Iliffe.

He eventually started reaching out directly to coaches, including Penn State’s staff.

The move from Australia to the United States brought another unexpected adjustment: the classroom. 

In Australia, Iliffe was accustomed to sitting quietly, listening to the teacher, and taking notes. At Penn State, he quickly noticed students raising their hands, joking with professors, and openly engaging with the material. 

“I was really kind of shocked by how engaged students were,” said Iliffe.

Then came football. 

Iliffe attended his first Penn State football game and was extremely impressed, even though he didn’t completely understand what was happening. 

“I stood there for three hours, which I thought was like an hour and a half game,” Iliffe said. “They’d randomly play songs, and I didn’t understand what was going on at any point, but it was a lot of fun.”

Iliffe planned to return to the next game; however, this time with friends who explained the rules.

While Iliffe is still adjusting to American college life, he enters Penn State with a resume that is already filled with international experience.

Iliffe is a nine-time Australian national saber champion and was recognized as an Olympic Change Maker by the Australian Olympic Committee in 2024. That same year, he was named New South Wales Athlete of the Year.

Iliffe committed to giving back to the fencing community by coaching, refereeing, and helping other athletes develop. The NSW Athlete of the Year recognition was particularly meaningful because it highlighted his involvement in the sport beyond his own results.

“It kind of went just beyond results or being an athlete,” Iliffe said. “It represented being a part of my sport.”

His approach to competition is similarly centered on what he can control.

Iliffe knows he will not always be the most naturally talented fencer in the room. Some athletes have faster hands or started fencing years earlier. So instead of focusing on those limitations, he focuses on his work ethic.

“I can always work harder than everybody else,” said Iliffe.

That mentality has carried him from Sydney to international competitions and now to Penn State.

As a freshman, Iliffe has set ambitious goals for his first season. He wants to qualify for the NCAA Championships, represent Penn State at the highest level possible, and continue competing for Australia in World Cups.

However, fencing is not the only part of the equation.

Iliffe is studying political science and English, hoping to pursue diplomacy or human rights work.

His years of traveling for fencing have already exposed him to countries and cultures far different from his own, including Uzbekistan and several Arab nations.

Those experiences have shaped his interest in international affairs.

Even after his competitive fencing career ends, Iliffe doesn’t expect to walk away from the sport completely. He may explore coaching, working with fencing programs in other countries, or simply remaining involved as a fan.

Ultimately, one goal stands above the rest.

The 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, Australia.

For Iliffe, the chance to represent Australia at the Olympics on home soil is hard to ignore.

“I suppose my dream would be to go to the Olympics,” Iliffe said.

For now, that dream is still six years away. His immediate focus is much closer to home: Penn State, the classroom, and the NCAA tournaments.

The same sport Iliffe discovered simply because it was offered at his primary school ultimately led him around the world.  Now, as he begins his fencing career at Penn State, he looks forward to seeing how far he can go.