Fédération Internationale d'Escrime
Knyazeva took up fencing in 1966 and between 1972 and 1978, was a member of the Soviet national team. In 1975 she won the World Cup, the European Team Cup, and the team world title, and was named best female fencer of the year by the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime. After retiring from competitions she worked as a fencing coach in Kazan and taught physical education at the Kazan State Finance and Economics Institute.