Mark Semenovich Rakita (Russian: Марк Семенович Ракита; born July 22, 1938) is a two-time Olympic champion sabreur and coach from the Soviet era.
[7] A 1969 graduate of The Daghestan State Pedagogical Institute, Rakita earned the title of Master of the Sport (Fencing) in 1964.
[15] In an interview in New York, Mark Rakita discussed his long-time feud with former friend/teammate turned nemesis Vladimir Nazlymov, stating, "As far as I'm concerned, he no longer exists!
"[16] Rakita also emphasized Nazlymov's Crimean Tatar heritage and called him a traitor for having moved to the United States.
[17] Amid the ban on Russia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, which led to most Russian athletes not participating, Rakita remarked that "we should respon in a way that makes the Americans feel pain".