Nzingha Prescod is bad.

And by “bad,” we mean a certified threat. Prescod is one of the best African American fencers around and although fencing isn’t a sport that we hear much about, Nzingha is quite capable of changing the story so can all take note.

Hailing from Brooklyn, the 19-year-old Columbia student never dreamed about fencing until one day she headed to the Peter Westbrook Foundation, and fell in love with the sport. She has since won the U-17 World Championships in 2008 and 2009, and most recently the 2011 U-20 World Championship.

“I like to draw them in. I’m not too aggressive.” She tells Infotainment News. “ I don’t push opponents to the end of the strip. I like defensive actions, to make offense from defense.”

It’s precisely that attitude that has taken her so far. Since the age of 14, she has been competing in international fencing competitions, with a dream of one day making it to the Olympics.

Although she lost in her first-ever individual match, admitting that “nerves” got to her, she will still have a chance to medal in the team competition, beginning August 1 at 8:45 on NBC Sports Network.

Check out more about Prescod here.