Meet Our World-Class Fencing Coaches
Train with Nationally & Internationally Recognized Instructors
Triple Threat Fencing Academy’s coaching staff brings decades of elite fencing experience from Olympic competition, NCAA championships, and international circuits. Our Safe Sport-certified coaches provide expert instruction for all skill levels—from first-time beginners to nationally-ranked competitors.
Why Train with T3 Coaches?
✓ International credentials – Olympic, World Cup, and NCAA experience
✓ Proven results – National Champions, college placements, NCAA competitors
✓ All weapons covered – Expert instruction in sabre, epee, and foil
✓ Safe Sport certified – Committed to athlete safety and proper training protocols
✓ Personalized development – Individual attention from beginners to elite competitors
✓ College recruitment expertise – Guidance from coaches who’ve placed fencers at top universities
✓ Competitive mentorship – Learn from athletes still actively competing at high levels
Triple Threat Fencing Academy – Where Olympic Champions Coach
CHRIS BERNARD
When he’s not on the strip, Chris practices patent law in Charlotte—bringing the same attention to detail and strategic thinking to both his legal work and coaching philosophy.
Coaching Focus: Beginner development, club culture, competitive strategy
MAESTRO OLEKSII IVANOV
– Merited Coach & National Coach of Ukraine
– FIE International Referee
– Coached multiple National Champions in Ukraine and the United States
Maestro Oleksii leads T3’s epee program and coaches all three weapons with expertise honed at the highest levels of international fencing. His students have excelled at World Cups, USA Fencing National Championships, Junior Olympics, and NCAA competitions.
Beyond tournament success, Maestro Oleksii has guided countless fencers to placement at prestigious colleges and universities, combining technical mastery with strategic support for college recruitment.
Coaching Focus: Advanced technique, competitive strategy, college recruitment
Competition Results: World Cup competitors, National Champions, NCAA fencers
COACH BENI RABINOWITZ
– NCAA Second-Team All-American (6th Place finish)
– UNC Men’s & Women’s Sabre Team Captain
– ACC Men’s Fencing Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2021)
– 2021 Penn State Garret Open Champion (first UNC men’s sabre champion since 1981)
– Three-time NCAA Championship qualifier
– #1 USA Fencing Region 6 ranking
– High School All-American
– International competitor for Hungary: Junior Hungarian Team Championships Gold, U23 European Circuit 6th Place
Inspired to fence at age 9 by his grandmother—a former competitor herself—Beni brings 15+ years of elite competition experience to every lesson. His coaching philosophy blends technical precision with mental toughness, helping athletes develop the disciplined strategy, resilience, and growth mindset essential for competitive success.
Coaching Focus: Sabre technique, competitive mindset, youth development
Education: University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Our Mentors: Depth of Experience Across All Weapons
Mentor | Foil & Epee Specialist
Competitive Background:
– Junior US National Champion
– Junior US World Team Member
– Penn State University First Team All-American
– Assistant Coach at Penn State under renowned coach Emanuil Kaidanov
Murat’s four decades of fencing experience and collegiate coaching background provide invaluable technical insights for developing fencers at T3.
Mentor | Olympic Sabre Fencer
Competitive Achievements:
– US Olympic Sabre Team (Atlanta Olympics)
– First Position US Olympic Sabre Team
– US Olympic Festival Gold Medalist
– US Olympic Festival Team Silver
– NCAA All-American (Penn State University)
– National Championships medalist
– World Games competitor
– Highest US Finish in World University Games (1995)
Having competed at the Olympics and trained with world-renowned coaches,
Peter specializes in developing the mental game—teaching T3 fencers that strategy and psychological preparation are just as critical as physical technique.
Coaching Focus: Tactical strategy, mental preparation, competitive psychology
Mentor | International Sabre Competitor
Experience: 40+ years of competitive fencing
Competitive Achievements:
– Represented Great Britain in World Cup and FIE satellite events
– 2018 World Veterans Championships competitor (Livorno, Italy)
– Great Britain Veterans National Champion (2012)
– GBR V50 National Champion (2018)
– Commonwealth Veterans Championship: 3 Gold Medals (2009), 2 Gold Medals (2012)
– Active US Veterans North American Cup Circuit competitor
Rob brings international experience from both European and American fencing circuits. After working with Maestro Oleksii Ivanov in the DC area, Rob joined T3 to share his expertise in building strong fundamentals and tactical awareness in developing sabreurs.
Coaching Focus: Sabre fundamentals, tactical awareness, youth development
Mentor | NCAA Division I Fencer
Current: UNC-Chapel Hill Women’s Sabre Squad
Competitive Background:
– NCAA Division I fencer (University of North Carolina)
– Nationally-ranked youth fencer
– Region 6 First Place (3 consecutive seasons)
– USA Fencing All-American Team
– USA Fencing All-Academic Team
– Certified USA Fencing Referee
Anjali started competing at age 11 and trained at T3 throughout her youth career. Now as a collegiate fencer, she brings current competitive experience and peer mentorship to beginner classes—helping young fencers understand the path from local tournaments to NCAA competition.
Coaching Focus: Youth development, beginner instruction, referee education
Teaching Since: 2019
Mentor | Hungarian Sabre Specialist
Mike discovered fencing as an adult after watching his children compete in Charlotte and Budapest, Hungary. Training with elite veteran fencers in Budapest, he immersed himself in Hungarian sabre technique—particularly the foundational emphasis on footwork, footwork, and more footwork.
Upon returning to the US, Mike focused his passion on youth development, sharing authentic Hungarian sabre methodology with T3’s young fencers. His enthusiastic coaching style and competitive mindset make him a favorite among students.
Coaching Focus: Hungarian sabre technique, footwork fundamentals, youth enthusiasm
Ready to Train with Charlotte’s Best Fencing Coaches?
Whether you’re taking your first lesson or preparing for a national competition, our coaching staff will help you reach your fencing goals.