Head Saber Coach

Maestro Mikhail Tsipis (Misha) began fencing in 1967, one of his mentors was maestro Mikhail Shimshovich and teammate Igor Vilensky, at the age of 17 he already became a master of sports of the USSR, and by the age of 20 he was a member of the Ukrainian national team and two-time champion of the USSR, winner of international tournaments and championships in Kyiv and Ukraine. Since 1994, he has been working as a coach in Chicago, and before that he worked at the “Dynamo” Kiev club, where many world and Olympic champions played, and was also a mentor to Georgy Pogosov, who was 4 years younger than him and who became a multiple world and Olympic champion . Maestro Tsipis is a very experienced trainer and a very creative person.

Foil coach

Coach Colton has been fencing foil for 14 years and brings his passion and experience to Duel Fencing Club. As an assistant coach for the Glenbrook Fencing Team, he is dedicated to developing young athletes and encouraging a love for the sport.

Coach Colton emphasizes strong fundamentals, strategic thinking, and sportsmanship, helping fencers of all levels improve their skills and confidence on the strip.

Saber Coach

Emmeline Bae has been fencing sabre since middle school and has developed into a national competitor, winning the 2019 Div III Summer Nationals. She has placed in and competed at numerous national tournaments, gaining extensive experience competing in all aspects of fencing.

With a deep passion for fencing, Emmeline has been coaching for the past three years, including at New Trier High School, where she helps foster the next generation of competitive fencers. She enjoys sharing her expertise and enthusiasm with fencers of all ages and skill levels.

Epee Coach

Coach Andrii Martson began his fencing journey in 1974 in western Ukraine at the age of 13, quickly finding that the sport provided discipline, focus, and a powerful foundation for life. At 17, he entered technical college to study engineering while continuing to fence for his academy club. His talent and dedication earned him the prestigious title of "Master of Sports" for the Soviet Union by the age of 18, an honor that marked the beginning of a long and impactful career in fencing.

From 1985 to 1995, Andrii served as a coach at the Youth Sports School in Berdansk, helping young athletes discover their potential in fencing. Later, he led the Ukrainian Veteran National Team, preparing experienced fencers who went on to compete in World Cup championships. In 2022, Coach Andrii moved to the United States, where he continues to bring his love of fencing to new generations.

Coach Andrii’s family shares his passion for fencing: his two daughters, both accomplished épée fencers and Master of Sports, now reside in Chicago and Miami. When he’s not coaching, Coach Andrii enjoys spending time with his beloved dog and sharing his love for fencing’s unique blend of physical and mental strategy. He often describes fencing as “chess on legs,” where every bout demands precision, quick thinking, and resilience.

For Coach Andrii, fencing has been a guiding force throughout his life. He believes that fencing builds both the mind and spirit, helping athletes grow smarter, more disciplined, and stronger in every sense.