Michael Straus

Michael Straus first showed in interest in fencing while studying to be an architect in Edinburgh for five years in the 1940s. It was also during his time in the Scottish capital that the German-born Straus obtained his British naturalisation papers, in 1947. South of the border in England, Straus learned his fencing at Salle Nicklen and then Salle Paul, and was a member of the latter´s “A” team, along with Raymond Paul, Allan Jay and Ralph Cooperman, when they won the 1957 British team foil title. The following year Straus represented England in the quadrangular match against Ireland, Wales, and Scotland at Edinburgh.

Straus was a fine exponent of both the sabre and foil, and was selected for the sabre team event at the 1960 Rome Olympics where Great Britain were eliminated in the second round after losing 9-6 to Romania. Fencing beyond his 40th year, Straus helped London Fencing Club “B” team secure third place in the 1965 National Sabre Team Championship.