New York, NY (February 2, 2023) — Welcome to Coach Irem Ülkü Ìpek!
She comes to Tim Morehouse Fencing Club from Turkey and will be coaching at TMFC Manhattan Monday thru Thursday and on Sundays. A highly decorated fencer, she’s as impressive as a coach, having started this year’s season in Turkey with her fencers winning 16 medals.
“I am very happy and excited to be in the TMFC family,” she said. More from Coach Irem:
How/when did you start fencing? Is there something you learned from a coach or fellow fencer early on that has stuck with you?
“I started fencing in 1996. I was invited to the national team in 1999 and competed as a national team athlete until 2006. The most important thing I learned from my teacher was that I had to work hard and improve myself to not give up on my dreams and achieve them.”
How/when did you start coaching? For you, how are they related/separate?
“I started coaching in 2007. For me, coaching means working hard to be happy with athletes' success and stay on top.”
What is your philosophy when it comes to coaching beginners? Coaching more experienced fencers?
“It is important to make the beginner athletes love fencing first and use teaching methods that appeal to them so they can be loved. It is enjoyable to work with experienced athletes because training and planning is important in order to prepare them for competitions. I like being able to raise their goals and move forward with them step-by-step towards their dreams.”
How are you different from other fencing coaches? What do you think is your expertise in weapons?
“The thing that distinguishes me from other coaches is my ambition and ability to work hard to achieve my dreams. I dominate all three types of weapons, but my main one is saber.”
Do you have any cool, offbeat or fun hobbies?
“I have an international referee’s license. I am a sports biomechanics scientist. I have researched stance and reaction speed on fencers. And I have two cats back in Turkey.”
