About

Our journey began with a dream…

A dream to craft more than just a fencing academy but a genuine home for fencing enthusiasts. For us, it’s not just about the sport; it’s about creating a warm, safe, and professional space where every child has the chance to embrace their love for fencing and uncover their unique potential.

Igor has been passionate about fencing since his competitive days in Uzbekistan. This passion, like a timeless melody, continued to resonate throughout his life. When our first set of twins saw their father fencing, they were captivated by what they described as a beautiful “dance.” Fencing, for us, isn’t just a sport; it’s a captivating art. As our children began their fencing journey, we felt a calling to build an academy that mirrored the enchantment of this unique sport.

Our older twins took up fencing, marking the start of a transformative path involving discipline, fitness, agility, and mental sharpness. Beyond the individual growth, something magical happened – fencing became a thread weaving our family even closer together. Even our younger twins, who were about four years old back then, reveled in the atmosphere, playing around while their father and siblings fenced. In those moments, we realized that we could make a lasting impact. That’s how the Academy of Fencing Masters was born – not just to support the Silicon Valley fencing community but to share our love for this niche sport, elevating its exposure and appreciation across the USA and beyond.

Since 2013, our doors have been open to anyone eager to experience fencing with the “Academy of Fencing Masters.” Our approach is personal; we see each fencer not just as an athlete but as a unique individual. Our academy is a place that feels like home, maintaining the highest professional standards with international stars fencing coaches, including Olympians, World Champions, and national teams coaches.

Our goal at AFM is deeply personal; we strive to understand and nurture the unique potential within each student. As parents ourselves, we’ve always worn that hat in every decision, aligning our journey with the needs of families. Over the years, we’ve proudly watched our students evolve into rated fencers, regional stars, national podium medalists, USA champions, international fencers, and NCAA athletes in the best colleges, including the Ivy League. But most of all, we are proud not just of their achievements but that they’ve turned into beautiful, strong, and kind individuals.

Our personal story is the heartbeat of AFM, showcasing the transformative power of fencing. It has shaped our children into strong individuals with core life values, fostering meaningful friendships, creating lifelong memories, and instilling lasting values. Being a fencing parent isn’t just a journey; it’s a mosaic of ups and downs, losses and victories. In every moment, we’ve discovered a unique beauty. This season, as we traveled to the World Cups with the Cadet National Team alongside our youngest son, who was only four when we started dreaming about the academy, everything clicked into an amazing puzzle of pride, passion, and success. It connected our personal journey with all we’ve built throughout these years.

We’re passionate about extending this journey to other parents, helping them discover the profound beauty of fencing. Our mission is simple – to help our families, contribute to the fencing community, and make this incredible sport a well-loved part of many lives.

The “Academy of Fencing Masters” isn’t just about fencing; it’s about instilling a love for life through the art of fencing. Our coaches, more than experts, are mentors and friends, passionate about sharing their love for the sport.

Fencing, beyond a sport, is an intelligent dance of strength that trains both body and mind. Combined with a code of conduct, fencing shapes not just the fencer but the entire family. Our academy provides a vibrant and supportive community, transforming the experience of a student learning about fencing into an individual discovering the dance of life. We will embrace everyone joining AFMily, as our fencers call their club!