New York, NY (July 2021) — Coach Ahmed Abdallah comes to Tim Morehouse Fencing Club with an enormous amount of coaching experience attained in a relatively short time. He will be working with fencing students at the newly opened TMFC at Chelsea Piers in Stamford, CT.
Coaching épée since 2015, he started in his native Egypt and quickly moved to work with young fencers in New Jersey through the New Jersey Fencing Alliance. One of his greatest strengths is that he was a competitor at the highest level until he started coaching.
Get to know Coach Ahmed in his own words:
How/when did you start fencing?
I started fencing when I was nine years old. I had already been doing soccer, tae kwon do, and swimming, but I liked fencing the most because of the interaction between fencers and the need to outsmart your opponent with fine movements.
When I was 10 years old I was chosen, after physical, mental, and medical tests, to join the TAS Talented Athlete School. The school had the best athletes in every sport in Cairo. I was from Tanta, 90 km away from Cairo, and I was required to stay at school during the week to study, practice, eat and sleep. I went home for only one day at the weekend. It was a tough decision for me and my family to make.
I couldn’t miss the chance to be one of four fencers selected from all over the country. You can't imagine what it was like for a child to be away from your family at that age. It taught me to depend on myself. I made lifelong friends who are more like family. I am still in touch with them today.
At school, I practiced with the best from all over the country. They shared how they attained success on an international level and what they would do to perform better to avoid losing.
How/when did you start coaching?
I have been coaching since 2015/2016, one season before I stopped competing. It started when many of the young fencers from my club and the Egyptian National Team sought my experience and advice to help them improve. I truly feel happy and satisfied when I see my students achieve what they want and what they work hard for. Being the University Fencing Team Captain and winning gold, silver, and bronze medals in national championships for universities and the Arabian competition for universities was also a motivation for my fellow fencers. This encouraged me to like coaching.
What is your philosophy when it comes to coaching beginners? Coaching more experienced fencers?
When coaching beginners you want to focus on the right footwork, the correct hand position, and the correct techniques. Here comes the fun part — when you coach more experienced fencers, I always try to change actions with them at the start and in the middle; they have to see and react. It's challenging, exactly like when they fence.
How are you different from other fencing coaches? What do you think is your expertise within weapons?
Having trained with different Olympic and international coaches from Egypt, Asia, east and west Europe has provided me with different approaches to fencing. Fencing on the highest level in world championships, world cups, and grand prixs with the best fencers worldwide and being able to finish top sixteen twice taught me a lot. All this has given me the insight and the ability to teach all fencers regardless of their speed, their height, or their grip.
Do you have any cool, offbeat, or fun hobbies?
I enjoy playing tennis and swimming. I actually like any water activities: jet skiing, boat rides, snorkeling, even sitting near any lake, river, or ocean with some jazz music.
To schedule a trial lesson with Coach Ahmed or any of our other coaches, please click here.