Kai Zhao was a member of both the China Junior and Senior National Men’s Foil Teams. In this capacity he competed in extensive individual and team foil competitions as well as numerous Fencing World Cup Events.
Kai also trained extensively with China’s 2008 Olympic Foil Team. This experience in his career was opportunity to work and collaborate with other top fencers in China. As a professional fencer he was able to utilize his 26 years of fencing and coaching experience.
In 2010 Coach Kai moved to the U.S. bringing his unique insight and training techniques. His holistic coaching system trains fencers not only in blade techniques, but also in footwork, physical fitness, and mental strength. Kai Zhao’s success in coaching and training fencers has resulted in the achievement of National Medals by his students each and every year since his arrival in Boston.
The many nationally ranked athletes trained by Head Coach Kai Zhao include the Junior Olympic Champion, Senior North American Cup Champion, Junior Summer National Champion and multiple medalists at various National events. Standing out among these athletes is Daniel Zhang, who's 1st place rank on the USA National Cadet Points list earned him a qualifying spot as one of only 3 fencers in the country to represent Team USA in the Cadet and Junior World Championship, where he took home GOLD in Cadet and SILVER in Junior Team!
Coach Tamer Tahoun is a two-time Olympic fencer, Olympic-level Head Coach. Tamer is a member of the Team USA coaching staff, and recent achievements of his pupils tell the story best, and include two World Championships Gold medals, and bronze in the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 and many World and National medals. He served as the Egypt National Foil Team Coach and coached the Egyptian Youth Olympic Team at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore 2010. Accomplished athlete, Tahoun held the Egypt National Champion title from 1999 to 2008, fenced in Olympic Games in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 with top 15 finish, and has won numerous medals in the World Cups and Grand Prix as well as five African Championships individual Gold medals. Tamer is an FIE International Referee in Foil and Epee.
Coach Mohamed started fencing at 8 years old with his father in Saint Louis. At 15, he earned a spot on the Egyptian National team and would go to compete in multiple junior, cadet, and senior championships. A starter at Penn State, he and his team earned a second place finish at the 2018 NCAA championships. Following University, Mohamed qualified and competed at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan and is still an active member of the team competing to qualify for his second Olympic Games in Paris 2024. Mohamed has extensive coaching experience, learning from his dad and is certified by the USFCA.
Siarhei started fencing at age 8 He was a member of Belarus National team for 10 years. Two times U-23 European Championships medalist. (Silver and bronze medal ) Multiple finalist of the World Cups ( juniors, seniors) He has been ranked #1 for two consecutive season 2011/2012, 2012/2013 in European U-23 point standings During this time he was lucky to worked with the greatest foil fencer Alexandr Romankov He holds a master degree in Physical Education from Belarusian National University of Physical Education and Sports. In addition, degree in manager of sport organizations from institute for advancing and retraining of leadership workers and specialists of physical education 2013-2016 worked at the Belarusian republican olympic training center Siarhei moved to the United States in 2017 since then his students have won medals in regional and national tournaments
Anthony graduated from Tianjin Sports University with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He was in the Tianjin Sports Team as a professional fencer and won many awards during his tenure as an athlete. A few of Anthony’s notable achievements are: 2015 National Fencing Championship of China held in Beijing, China where Mr. Zhang won 2nd place in Men’s Foil. 2014 National Fencing Championship of China held in Liaoning, China where Mr. Zhang won 1st place in Men’s Foil. 2011 National Fencing Championship of China held in Fujian, in where Mr. Zhang won 3" place in Men’s Foil. 2011 National Fencing Championship of China held in Shanghai, in where Mr. Zhang won 1st place in Men’s Foil. 2010 National Fencing Championship of China held in Yunnan, where Mr. Zhang ranked 13th place in Men’s Foil. After retiring, he worked as a fencing physical trainer and has a lot of training experience. While coaching at Sunac Fencing Club, he also continued to further his educatio to obtain AFAA physical fitness certificate certification and ACSM certification, as well as AFAA youth physical fitness certification certificate, and has also brought out many athletes’ achievements.
Sean discovered the foil at age 11 and began fencing under Shuang and Kai’s guidance. Since then, he has competed in many tournaments, including the 2021 and 2022 Star Cups and the 2021 Pomme de Terre. By age 14, he had realized his passion for teaching fencing and he took on the role of TA for SFA’s youngest classes. Today, Sean dedicates his patience and empathy toward setting new fencers who are as young as five on strong starts to their fencing journeys.
Castor began training with coaches Shuang and Kai at the age of 9. His desire to improve and diligence to train has allowed him to successfully compete in numerous regional, national, and international tournaments. His best accomplishments include: 3rd in cadet at the 2022 Summer Nationals, 3rd in cadet at the 2021 July NAC, 11th in Div I at the January NAC, 2nd in Div 1A at the 2022 Summer Nationals, and 3rd in Y-14 at the 2021 May NAC. He earned his A rating at the age of 14, one of the youngest A rated fencer in the US at that time. He is a foil squad leader in his high school fencing team and is also a USFA certified referee. Castor has a passion for fencing and likes to help every fencer around him. He has served as a volunteer at summer camps organized by the club to assist beginner fencers. He is currently an assistant coach in the club and enjoys helping younger fencers improve their fencing skills.
Castor has a passion for fencing and likes to help every fencer around him. He once served as a volunteer in the club in summer camps to assist beginner fencers. He is currently an assistant coach in the club help younger fencers to improve fencing skills.
Shuang Meng was awarded the prestigious title of China National Master Sportsman at the early age of 18. This coveted award, an honor bestowed upon only two top achieving athletes in China each year, was testament to her inspirational talent and athletic excellence.
Shuang competed on both the China Junior and Senior National Fencing Teams. From 2006 to 2010, she won over 50 titles and earned her spot as a finalist in both National and International Championships. Her achievements include Gold Medals at China’s National Fencing Championship for individual and team women’s foil competitions (2010), a Bronze Medal in the World Junior Fencing Championship team competitions in 2007 and 2008, (Turkey and Italy) and numerous other Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards.
Since moving to the U.S. in 2010, Coach Shuang Meng has used her vast knowledge and experience to create a premier and formidable training program developing highly skilled athletes. She has a proven record of success with an ever-growing list of top regionally and nationally recognized fencers.