Academy of Fencing Masters

March 23, 2020

SPECIAL QUARANTINE ISSUE

Photo: The online group class

This newsletter had the most versions we ever had with any AFM issue ever! It was first written on March 1st when we were keeping up with as normal life as we remember it from the “previous era”. Back then the hugs were warm and real. Friends and family kissed each other, and fencers shook hands after each bout. No one was disinfecting their credit card after each use . . . It looks so far from us now. We wrote a newsletter about the March NAC and the SJCC, then cut this information out. Then we wrote an update about canceling classes and keeping private lessons only, but after 24 hours we cut this also out. Things rapidly change every day! Like all of us, we are also trying to adjust, and bring as much normalcy to our lives as possible. We are all in quarantine now, juggling family and work, and trying to stay healthy and positive. This is the most important thing now - the health of everyone, and the emotional stability of our families. First of all, we wish for all of our dear coaches and AFM families to stay healthy and positive and keep yourselves safe. You can always trust us with your kids, and we will do anything possible not to fail you now, especially at this crazy time. We are working hard to support the kids, so for the time, we all will stay online only.

There are things that we can control, and there are things that we cannot control. Right now we cannot control a lot of things, but the attitude that we bring to it makes all the difference. We are in this with you! Community is everything, and we are thankful that you are all a part of ours.

In fencing, we learn to go back and forth with the opponent. We learn when is the right time to let go of control and when is the right time to take it on the strip. It’s easy to fall into a big “red alert” mode when we are feeling pushed by an opponent. But if you do the work and prepare properly for a match, then you can learn with experience to trust that it will turn out alright.

Limiting exposure is the key right now. This we must do.

This is why we have moved to online fencing training. Below in this newsletter, you will find information about what you can do to participate in our newly created and really wonderful online classes and private lessons. Our fencing coaches have worked hard to create a curriculum that will help fencers continue to train. Please take advantage of this! We are excited to be able to offer it. Adaptation feels good!

Kids and grownups both need to realize that this is all very stressful, and to cope with that stress as best as they can. Everyone is worried, and our kids are going to look to us to see how to cope with the anxiety. Allow some space for that to happen.

Physical activity is a great way to fend off the turbulence of this situation.

We are not daunted by hard times. We are vigilant and hopeful about what we can do to make our lives better and move forward to a beautiful new tomorrow. Push through and push forward! We’ll keep you updated on what changes are happening in the fencing world, but for now, take precautions and keep on training.

We are in this together!

Take good care of yourself and your families, and stay healthy!

From the bottom of my heart - Irina

Online Classes and Private Lessons

Below, you’re going to find a detailed description of our new curriculum. This is how we’ll proceed during the complete lockdown period.

We have everyday team meetings (no worries - they are virtual! :-) ), to build and improve our online programs and private lessons via Zoom platform. We try to create the best possible plans that adapt training to the new regime and keep our fencers engaged with physical activity and with their fencing training.

Following is our plan, which relies on three major facets of remote video training.

1. Group classes - online in real-time

2. Private lessons - online in real-time

Schedule:

All classes start at 4pm, daily Monday thru Friday
Class duration: Beginner/Intermediate - 1hour, Advanced/Competitive - 1.5 hours

In addition, coaches conduct provide private lessons.

What to prepare:

Fencing gear (shoes, glove, weapon)
Jump rope, tennis balls, yoga mat (if you have)
Make space in your room
Improvised target - read our post on how to make one

Important Notes:

If you have AirPods or other wireless headphones, use them
Please join the class a minute or two prior to the start.
Parents - please make sure nobody (siblings, dogs, yourself) is in the training area to avoid unnecessary risks or interruptions
Please make sure the Zoom name tag is your child’s name, so the coach will immediately see who is in the class.

Private Lessons:

If you haven't done so and want to continue with private lessons please send me email
Your online scheduling system will reflect all private lessons you requested. Please follow them.
Private lessons will be conducted via Zoom as well. Instructions to join will be sent separately

Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions you might have about logistics and other aspects of this plan as well as your suggestions!

If you haven't done so yet and want to continue enrollment in online classes during the quarantine, please send me an email.

Competitions Results in February

I am sure that now more than ever we need to celebrate our last competition results, cherish these happy moments, take a look at these happy faces and know IT ALL WILL COME BACK! We WILL go to competitions, we WILL gather together and we WILL re-open schools, stores, restaurants, and, of course, fencing clubs!

Let’s first wash our hands, and then clap them together for February competition winners!
(Sorry if we did not get all of the photos this time. )

Here are all February competition results:

Battle of the Bay DIV1A ROC Feb 1

Great result at the Battle of the Bay Division 1A ROC Men’s Epee event, which was a very strong A4 tournament! Congratulations to Bartosz Kuligowski for a Bronze medal and A rating, Hansel Desouza for 5th place and A rating, Paul Kim for 9th place and renewing his B rating!! Also, Yakov Shur renewed his C rating and Thijmen De Jong renewed his D rating. Congratulations to the fencers, coaches, and their parents!

Div 1 Men Epee :

3 place KULIGOWSKI Bartosz A20

5 place DESOUZA Hansel S. A20

9 place KIM PAUL B20

SHUR Yakov renewed his rating C 20

DE JONG Thijmen renewed his ratingD20

LOUIE Jason renewed his rating E20

Great result at the Battle of the Bay Division 1A ROC Men’s Epee event, which was a very strong A4 tournament! Congratulations to Bartosz Kuligowski for Bronze medal and A rating, Hansel Desouza for 5th place and A rating, Paul Kim for 9th place and renewing his B rating!! Also Yakov Shur renewed his C rating and Thijmen De Jong renewed his D rating. Congratulations to the fencers, coaches and their parents!

Div I-A Women's Épée:

1 place MACHULSKY Leehi A20

2 place TAYLOR Audrey Y.

5 place GEBALA Natalie Brooke A.

6 place CHEN Lefu

POPOVICI Alina renewed her E20 rating!

Another great result at the Battle of the Bay ROC in the Women’s Epee event: AFM final and 4 in top 8! Congratulations to Leehi Machulsky for winning Gold and renewing her A, Audrey Taylor for winning Silver, Natalie Gebala for 5th place and Lefu (Katherine) Chen for 6th place! Congratulations also to Alina Popovici for earning her E rating! Congratulations to the fencers, their parents, and coaches! Great job girls!

Div I-A Women's Foil:

5 th place MOSKOVSKAYA Anastasiya

SYC - Portland Super Youth Circuit -Feb 7

Y14 WE :

8 place YIN Grace

Congratulations to Grace Yin for medalling with 8th place in Y14 Women’s Epee event in Portland SYC! Great job!

Y14 WF:

3rd place - SUN Chien-Yu

Congratulations to Cheryl Sun for bronze medal and new rating C in Y14 Women's Foil event in Portland SYC. Congratulations to the coaches and parents!

Y10 MF:

3 place - WU Alber Y.

Congratulations to Alber Wu for bringing home Bronze in Y10 Men’s Foil event at Portland SYC this weekend! Congratulations to the coaches and the parents!

Y10 WE:

2 place - BLANCO Ariia

Congratulations to Ariia Blanco for winning a Silver medal at the SYC - Portland Super Youth Circuit in Youth 10 Women’s Epee category! Way to go!

Y12 WE:

3 place - PACHECO Evangeline

8 place - BLANCO Ariia

Congratulations to Evangeline Pacheco for winning Bronze and to Ariia Blanco for winning 8th place in Y12WE in Portland Super Youth Circuit last weekend! Way to go girls! Thank you, coach Dima, for the coaching and help on the strip during the event!

Y10 Women Foil:

2 place Prisha Maniktala

3 place Emma Liu

Congratulations to Prisha Maniktala for Silver and Emma Liu for Bronze in Y10 Women's Foil category at Portland SYC!

TFC's February 2020 Fence-A-Thon Feb 9

Senior Mixed Épée

3 place - CAI Kevin and renewed his B20

LEVITSKY Jonathan renewed his C20

(Sorry, we did not get photos from this competition)

Junior Olympics 2020

Women Epee Team - WE ARE USA VICE-CHAMPIONS!

We are United States Vice Champions in Junior Women’s Epee! Congratulations to the AFM team of Audrey Chu, Audrey Taylor and Priscilla Leang for winning a Silver medal in the USA Fencing Junior Olympics in Women’s Epee! The team event is the national championship event for the junior teams and it is AFM highest team result up to date! Congratulations to the fencers and their coaches! Way to go girls!

Once again, congratulations to Audrey Chu, Audrey Taylor, Priscilla Leang, and Leehi Machulsky for winning a Silver Medal at Junior Epee Team at Junior Olympics National Championship! Girls, we are so proud of you! Congratulations to AFM fantastic epee coaches! Dima, thank you for the great strip coaching out there! Well done, go AFM!

4th Annual Sword in the Stone RYC & RJCC- Feb21

Y-14 Women's Épée:

8 place - SHARMA Sanvi + earned her E20 rating!

Congratulations to Sanvi Sharma for medalling with 8th place and earning her E rating in Y14 Women’s Epee event at the 4th Sword in the Stone RYC and RJCC!

Cadet Men's Épée :

3 place ZHANG Alec + earned his D20 rating

Great day for Alec Zhang with two Bronze medals (in Cadet and Y14 Men’s Epee events) and two times earning D rating in 4th Sword in the Stone RYC and RJCC! Congratulations Alec to you, your parents and coaches!

Y-14 Women's Foil:

5 place - SUN Ruoxi

Congratulations to Cici Sun for medalling with 5th place in Y14 Women’s Foil in the 4th Sword in the Stone RYC and RJCC!

Junior Women's Épée:

6 place - PACHECO Naomi D20

Cadet Women's Foil:

2 place - GEBALA Gabrielle Grace A.

6 place - SUN Ruoxi

Y-14 Men's Épée:

3 place - ZHANG Alec D20

Y-12 Women's Épée:

8 place - ZHEREBCHEVSKA Veronika

Congratulations to Veronica Zherebchevska for meddaling with 8th place in the Y12 Women’s Epee event at the 4th Sword in the Stone RYC and RJCC!

Junior Men's Épée

PARK Elliot - E20

Cadet Women's Épée

3 place PACHECO Naomi and earned her D20 rating!

Great day for Naomi Pacheco with two medals: 6th in Junior Women’s Epee and Bronze in Cadet Women’s Epee and two times earning D rating in 4th Sword in the Stone RYC and RJCC! Congratulations Naomi to you, your parents and coaches!

Y-12 Women's Foil:

1 place - GEBALA Gabrielle Grace

Double final for Gabrielle Gebala in 4th Sword in the Stone RYC and RJCC! Gabrielle took Silver in Cadet Women’s Foil and Gold in Y12 Women’s Foil! Way to go Gabrielle! Congratulations to you, your coaches and parents!

Rocky Mountain RYC #2

Y-12 Women's Épée:

3 place - WAGLE Vaishali

6 place - BLANCO Ariia

And our fencers continue to win in another RYC - this time in Colorado! Congratulations to Vaishali Wagle for winning Bronze inY12 Women’s Epee event in Rocky Mountains RYC!

Y12 Men Foil :

1 place - LEVY Jacob

Congratulations to Jacob Levy for winning Gold in Y12 Men’s Foil and Silver in Y14 Men’s Foil in Rocky Mountains RYC! Congratulations to parents and coaches too! Great job Jacob! Happy for your first Gold medal!

Y14 Men Foil :

2 pace - LEVY Jacob

Y12 Women Foil :

2 place - DENG Melissa

Y10 Mixed Foil :

1 place - DENG Melissa

Y10 Mixed epee :

1 place - BLANCO Ariia

5 place - SIMHADRI Sanjana

Congratulations to Ariia Blanco for winning Gold in Y10 Epee event in the Rocky Mountains RYC! Great job Ariia!

Y14 Women Epee :

6 place - SIMHADRI Meghana

Seattle International Veteran’s Cup

While our young fencers fence in RYC and RJCC, our veteran fencers competed in the Seattle International Veteran’s Cup and brought home some good results! Congratulations to Oscar Estell for taking Silver and earning his B rating in the Men's Foil event!

USA Fencing Baltimore SJCC Tournament FEB28

Junior Men's Épée:

5 place - SHARMA Sanil, and once again, he renewed his A20 rating!

Congratulations to Sanil Sharma for medalling with 5th place and renewing his A rating in Junior Men’s Epee event in the Baltimore SJCC! Great job Sanil, way to go!

1st Annual Vegas Epee Only RYC & RJC March 7

Y-14 Women's Épée:

6 place + E rating - LEE Kaitlyn M.

Congratulations to Kaitlyn Lee for medalling with 6th place and earning her E rating in Y14 Women’s Epee event in the 1st Annual Vegas epee RYC and RJC!

Bay Cup at TFC: Y10, Y12, Y14 Foil

Y-14 Women's Foil:

3 place - WANG Celine

3 place - FUNG Emma

Congratulations to Celine Wang and Emma Fung for Bronze medals in Y14 Women’s Foul Bay Cup event! Congratulations to the parents and coaches too!

Y10 men Foil :

DERRICK Blake - Bronze medal!

Congratulations to Blake Derrick for Bronze in Y10 Men’s Foil event in the Bag Cup today!

Y10 Women Foil :

2 place GILLIS-PADE Neallie

3 place CUI Alivia

Congratulations to Neallie Gillis-Pade for Silver and Alicia Cui for Bronze in Y10 Women’s Foul Bay Cup! This photo looks the most appropriate for the International Women’s Day

Y12 Women Foil :

1 place - SUN Ruoxi

2 place - MANIKTALA Prisha

AFM Final in Y12 Women’s Foil in the Bay Cup tournament! Congratulations to Ruoxi (Cici) Sun for taking Gold and Prisha Maniktala for Silver! Congratulations to the coaches and parents too!

Y12 Men Foil :

1 place - LEVY Jacob

2 place - CHIRASHNYA Daniel

3 place - RANJITH Yash

3 place - WU Lucas

AFM Podium Sweep in Y12 Men’s Foil Bay Cup tournament! Congratulations to Jacob Levy for Gold, Daniel Chirashnya for Silver, Yash Ranjith and Lucas Wu for Bronze! Congratulations to the fencers, their coaches and parents! Way to go!

Way to go! We will be there again, no worries! We will train now, stay positive and compete once everything gets back to normal life!
Stay in shape! Stay positive!

AFM Pride Day and Contest - Monday, March 30

Next Monday, March 30, we call all of our fencers and their parents to come to all online classes and show our solidarity and connection together. During competitions, we all enjoyed seeing each other with AFM red jackets. We feel as one, strong team. Now, when everyone is staying home, we must have some special days to feel connected. For that, we are creating room to socialize and chat, to celebrate, and also show our solidarity to each other.

“Smile in Red” Photo and Art Contest

On Monday, 3/30, please join your classes and lessons wearing AFM red uniforms - T-Shirts, hoodies or jackets, or just wear the color red.

Post your CURRENT PHOTOS (not the old ones from competitions) with your AFM logo/jackets on the AFM Facebook or Instagram on this day - the best photo will be featured in the next issue of the AFM Newsletter!
Create a poster or drawing with the AFM logo or theme and email it to us - the winner will get a special prize and will open the next newsletter!

Because together we still are the strongest team, and spirit now is everything!

Go AFM! Stay strong, stay together!

Kindness will save the world

This time is a real test for all of us. It is a test for a society in general and for families in particular. It is also a great opportunity for us to become stronger. There is no reason to give in to the difficulties. It is the opposite - we can all use this time to become stronger and more united families, learn how to make each other's lives easier, and find ways to connect and reconnect. This is a time for us to grow as human beings and individuals and extend an arm to each other.

We are blessed to have this fantastic AFM community. I feel that I am particularly blessed. In just a short few years my family became extended by so many kids who we have come to know and teach, in addition to their amazing parents. Never before had I felt such a huge and warm connection with so many people. Because of these things, I believe that my own family will become stronger and more united, so will be my extended family - which I call AFM.

One of the most important things to realize is that this will not last forever. We have seen the virus rise and fall in other parts of the world, and we have every reason to believe that these measures will be short lived.

There will be fencing tournaments and classes to go to and points to acquire again before you know it. We’ll have fencing potlucks and international coaches flying in once again. Most importantly, we will get to join in the camaraderie that this sport brings to all of us.

Please stay healthy, positive and kind to each other. This is the time we need to show humanity and kindness, extend an arm of support one to another, and understand each other!

Thank you deeply for your continued support!