The hotbed of American fencing is ... New Jersey?

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Gym, tan, fencing? It has a nice ring to it. It’s more than guidos and housewives in this state.

New Jersey has developed it’s own unique personality. Think: Governor Chris Christie, The Sopranos, Snooki and JWoww from MTV’s Jersey Shore, and Atlantic City.

Other famous faces from New Jersey include Chelsea Handler, Bon Jovi, Martha Stewart, and Meryl Streep.

But Jersey has a hidden skill that might surprise you: it’s a hotbed for female fencers. Three of the ten Team USA female fencers are from The Garden State, which isn’t a huge revelation, but surprising considering the size of the state and well… it’s other namesakes (what if Yogi Berra decided to pick up an épée or saber instead of a mitt).

I mean think about it. Imagine Snooki or Pauly D in a fencing uniform. How about J-No. However, this all makes sense in the world of fencing considering the USA Fencing’s New Jersey Division is the largest of USA post for world class and national fencers.

Ibtihaj Muhammad, Dagmara Wozniak, and alternate Monica Aksamit are a part of the USA’s women’s saber team in Rio on and are all from New Jersey.

Muhammad made history as the first female to represent the U.S. in the Olympics wearing a hijab, a big move for those of Muslim faith. The women’s saber team will compete for the bronze medal against Italy on Saturday.

The best fencing clubs in the nation are located in Jersey, Massachusetts, California, New York, Texas, and Florida, with Jersey as the best state for saber fencing.

Perhaps G-T-L (gym, tan, laundry) is no more in The Garden State?