USA Fencing

The New York City metro area has served as the training grounds for many members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Fencing Team and the city will honor its own when the USA Fencing Celebrate Rio tour comes to New York City this weekend.

Five members of Team USA will share their Olympic experiences with fencing fans and the community during two days of events on Saturday and Sunday.

Fencing Comes to Bryant Park
Saturday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Next to the fountain on the west end of Bryant Park, on 6th Ave. between West 41st and West 42nd St.
One of New York’s most iconic locations, Bryant Park will be the home of fencing action for two hours as fencers from more than two dozen clubs participate in demonstrations and show their epee, foil and saber skills to the park’s crowds.

Olympic Autograph Signing
Noon – 1 p.m.
Three members of the U.S. Women’s Saber Team that won bronze in Rio will be signing autographs. Fans will have the chance to meet Olympians Ibtihaj Muhammad (Maplewood, N.J.), Dagmara Wozniak (Avenel, N.J.) and Monica Aksamit (Matawan, N.J.)

USA Fencing Celebrates Rio at the Fencers Club
Saturday, Sept. 17, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: 225 W. 28th St.
The Fencers Club and Peter Westbrook Foundation have trained athletes for countless Olympic Games with three athletes representing these programs in Rio alone. Women's saber bronze medalists Ibtihaj Muhammad and Monica Aksamit and their Olympic teammates Nzingha Prescod (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Katharine Holmes (Princeton, N.J.) will share their experiences at this evening celebration.
Cost: $25, includes heavy hors d’oeuvres
Tickets: Available online here.

Flash Factory
Saturday, Sept. 17, 8:30 p.m.
Location: 229 W. 28th St.
One of the best clubs in New York City will be home to the official after-party following the celebration at the Fencers Club. Admission is limited to those ages 21 and older.
Cost: $25, includes complimentary drinks
Tickets: Available online here.

USA Fencing Celebrates Rio at Manhattan Fencing Center
Sunday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: 225 W. 39th St.
Manhattan Fencing Center is the home of three members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team and will welcome MFC fencers Dagmara Wozniak and Monica Aksamit as well as epee fencer Katharine Holmes for brunch at the MFC. Attendees can interact with the trio of fencers and learn what it’s like to compete on the world’s greatest stage.
Cost: $25, includes brunch
Tickets: Available online here.

About Fencers Club
Established in 1883, the Fencers Club is one of the most storied programs in the nation and remains the longest continuously existing fencing club in the Western Hemisphere. Now a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and the home of a U.S. Olympic Committee Community Development Program, the Fencers Club is the oldest continuously existing organization in the Western Hemisphere. The Fencers Club boasts generations of Olympians to its credit, including 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Miles Chamley-Watson. The Fencers Club staff includes three members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Coaching Staff: foil coaches Buckie Leach and Simon Gershon and saber coach Akhi Spencer-El.

About Peter Westbrook Foundation
Founded by six-time Olympian and 1984 Olympic bronze medalist Peter Westbrook, PWF is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that uses the sport of fencing to enrich the lives of young people from underserved communities in the New York metropolitan area. PWF has served more than 4,000 youth since its inception in 1991, including Rio Olympic bronze medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and two-time Olympian Nzingha Prescod who both represent the foundation along with coach Akhi Spencer-El who competed at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. 

About Manhattan Fencing Center
Manhattan Fencing Center prepared three medalists for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team, is the home to four participants of the 2012 and three participants of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Teams. MFC athletes Dagmara Wozniak, Monica Aksamit and Daryl Homer each won medals at the Rio Olympic Games under the tutelage of MFC Coach Yury Gelman who has guided Team USA's saber fencers as a coach at the last five Olympic Games. Coach Gelman founded the Yury Gelman Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) not-for profit organization that develops physical well-being, builds life skills and gives educational opportunities to children in need through the sport of fencing.