Welcome Olympian and Olympic Coach Akhi Spencer-El to Tim Morehouse Fencing Club!

We are thrilled to announce that Olympian and Olympic Team Saber Coach Akhi Spencer-El is officially joining the coaching staff at Tim Morehouse Fencing Club, starting Monday, February 3!

This is far more than just a professional addition to our team—it’s a truly meaningful full-circle moment. Akhi and I share a special history that dates back to our elementary school days at Central Park East in East Harlem. From being schoomates to becoming Olympic fencers, our journeys have intertwined in incredible ways over the past 40 years!

Akhi is widely regarded for his exceptional coaching expertise and just as importantly, he is also deeply respected for his integrity, kindness, and dedication to his students. As Akhi joins us as a coach, I am very grateful that I will be able to work with him to inspire and develop the next generation of champions at our newest facility, TMFC’s East Side location, where he will play a key role in leading the growth of the club.

We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Akhi to the TMFC family!

A Legacy of Excellence in Fencing

Akhi Spencer-El brings an extraordinary wealth of experience and accomplishments to TMFC. A seasoned coach at both the prestigious New York Fencers Club and the Peter Westbrook Foundation, Akhi has also spent years shaping top-tier athletes at Columbia University with the team claiming 3 national titles during his tenure. His coaching career includes serving as a multi-time U.S. National and Olympic Men’s Saber Team Coach at the Paris Olympics. His students include US Olympic Medalist Daryl Homer, Olympian Khalil Thompson and Olympic Medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad in addition to the numerous national and international medalists he has coached and developed throughout the years.

Coaching education

Akhi’s education and training are equally impressive—he holds a Maestro’s degree from the renowned Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, a program that has also produced TMFC coaches Iba Keita, Mamodou Keita, and Coach Sall.

Athletic Accomplishments

As an athlete, Akhi represented the United States at the highest levels of competition. He made history as the first U.S. saber fencer to achieve the #1 world ranking as a Junior, a groundbreaking achievement at the time. He competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, became a two-time U.S. National Champion, and solidified his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest.

A Vision for TMFC

At Tim Morehouse Fencing Club, Akhi will bring his unmatched expertise, passion, and coaching philosophy to help elevate both our developmental and competitive programs. From guiding youth fencers to supporting elite athletes, Akhi’s leadership will be a game-changer for our community. His addition reflects our commitment to providing world-class training and mentorship for fencers at every level.

A Family Affair

Akhi is not only a remarkable coach but also a dedicated family man. He and his wife are proud parents to four wonderful children: twins Zoe and Olivia, who are both 11 years old; Elijah, a 13-year-old saber fencer who is excited to join the TMFC community; and Skye, who is 16 years old.

Achievements as a Coach

• Olympic Coach: Coached the U.S. Men’s Saber Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

• Columbia University: Guided one of the nation’s top collegiate fencing programs to three national championships.

• Peter Westbrook Foundation: Continues to mentor young athletes, fostering their development in fencing and life.

Welcome to the team, Coach Akhi Spencer-El—we are thrilled to have you with us!

WELCOME TO TMFC
COACH AKHI EVENT!

Friday, February 7
Tim Morehouse Fencing Club - East Side
(235 East 49th between 2nd and 3rd Ave)
5pm-9pm.

To celebrate, the club will operate on a modified schedule with open bouting from 5 PM to 9 PM, accompanied by wine and refreshments for parents and guests in addition to a few remarks!
(Feel free to bring a bottle of wine or a dessert to share!)

If you’re interested in fencing or simply joining us for this special welcome event, please register to fence using the link below and email info@timmorehousefencing.com to RSVP.

Schedule Updates Starting Monday, February 3

With Akhi’s arrival, we are updating the class schedule for the Elite classes on the East Side. The Youth and Musketeers classes will all remain at the same time.

Here’s the new schedule at a glance:

Note:
The bouting classes will primarily consist of open bouting, supervised by our coaching staff.

The updated schedule is listed above. If you would like to register for these new classes, please click on the “Class Registration” link below.

Olympians Challenge at the 9-State Cup! Eli Dershwitz vs. Ziad Elsissy!

Stamford, CT - 2023 World Champion and Olympian Eli Dershwitz will facing off with 2023 World Bronze Medalist and Olympian Ziad Elsissy on Saturday Night Oct. 7 from 6pm-7pm at the Chelsea Piers CT Fieldhouse in a battle between two of the best fencers in the world.

Their match is part of the Tim Morehouse Fencing Club’s 9-State Cup tournament happening over the weekend.

The two Olympians showdown along with the finals for several events of the 9-state cup will be aired live on Youtube at this link: (CLICK HERE).

The competition and the Olympian’s Challenge match will also be airing across the country in the next few weeks on the Madison Square Garden Network (MSG), NESN and other sports networks across the country.

If you are in the area, you are also invited to check out the matches LIVE!

Experience the Thrill of Fencing with Coach Bartek Florczak's Free Weekend Trials at Tim Morehouse Fencing Club in Stamford, CT

Coach Bartek Offers Free Fencing Trials on the weekend at Tim Morehouse Fencing Club’s Stamford, Connecticut location:
(CLICK HERE)

Bartek Florczak is one of the best fencing coaches in Connecticut and he is a member of the Tim Morehouse Fencing Club’s Stamford, Connecticut location at Chelsea Piers Connecticut.

He has been coaching for over 20 years and has trained some of the best fencers in the USA. Bartek is from Poland where he was a certified coach with the Polish Fencing Federation and has also been a member of the Polish National Team coaching staff before immigrating to the United States.

Coach Bartek takes the time to get to know each student individually and tailors his instruction to their individual needs. His classes are fun, engaging, and challenging, making them perfect for all levels of fencers. With Coach Bartek Florczak's guidance, students can develop their skills in a safe environment while having fun at the same time.

5 REASONS WHY COACH BARTEK FLORCZAK IS ONE OF THE BEST FENCING COACHES IN CONNECTICUT:

1. Expertise: Bartek Florczak is an experienced coach with a wealth of knowledge about fencing. He has trained many successful fencers, including many national medalists and nationally ranked fencers, and his expertise is highly sought after by athletes looking to improve their skills.

2. Dedication: Bartek Florczak is dedicated to helping his students reach their full potential as fencers. He works hard to ensure that each student receives individualized attention and instruction tailored to their needs.

3. Passion: Bartek Florczak loves fencing and it shows in his enthusiasm for teaching it. He is passionate about helping his students become better fencers and strives to make sure they have fun while learning the sport.

4. Supportive Environment: Bartek Florczak creates a supportive environment for his students, encouraging them to take risks and push themselves beyond their comfort zone while still providing a safe space for them to learn and grow as fencers.

5. Professionalism: Bartek Florczak takes his job seriously, always striving to provide the highest quality instruction possible for his students. He is professional in all aspects of coaching, from teaching technique to providing feedback on performance, ensuring that each student receives the best possible experience while training with him at Tim Morehouse Fencing Club.

People who live in Stamford, CT, Darien, CT and New Canaan CT should learn fencing from Coach Bartek Florczak at Tim Morehouse Fencing Club because he is an experienced and knowledgeable coach.

He has been teaching fencing for over 20 years and has trained numerous national champions. He is also a certified US Fencing Association coach and has a wealth of experience in the sport. Coach Bartek Florczak is passionate about teaching fencing and his enthusiasm for the sport is contagious.

DISTANCES TO TIM MOREHOUSE FENCING CLUB IN STAMFORD, CT AT CHELSEA PIERS:
Stamford, CT are: Norwalk, CT (7.2 miles); Greenwich, CT (7.3 miles); Darien, CT (8.1 miles); Westport, CT (9.2 miles); New Canaan, CT (10.4 miles); Port Chester, NY (11.3 miles); White Plains, NY (13.5 miles); Rye, NY (14.1 miles); Harrison, NY (15.6 miles); and Stratford, CT (16.2 miles).