Fencing Coach Certification
The various levels of certification in the US Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) include Fencing Master who are at the highest level of certification and are qualified to teach all levels of fencers as well as fencing coaches. Prévôt are at the next level of expertise focus more on training all levels of fencers to compete rather than training other coaches. Moniteur are members of this professional coaching organization focus on beginner and intermediate fencers, and Assistant Moniteurs are qualified to assist all levels of professional coaches. Fencing Masters, Prévôt, and Moniteurs are required to pass a rigorous written, practical, and oral examination to receive their credentials.
All our coaches hold a professional USA Fencing Association membership, passed a background check, and completed the SafeSport training.
Coaching Staff
Kwangsuk Chung (Kwang Seok Jung) (Head Coach, Master in Foil). Coach Chung runs the Competitive and Elite Foil Programs. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the Korea National Sport University in 1996. While on the Korean National Foil Team from 1993-1999, he earned gold in a number of international events and a bronze medal with South Korea’s 1998 world championship team. He was ranked 1st in veteran (40 years old and older) men's foil on the USA Fencing national points list for the 2017-2018 season. He held a rating of A2019 in foil when he was competing more regularly. After competing in the Veteran World Championships in 2023 he declared his retirement from competitive fencing so he could focus on his students--all his students hope that the fencing itch will entice him to continue competing as he is so fun to watch. He was certified as a Level 2 coach by the Korean Fencing Federation in 2013 and earned his Master in Foil from the United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) in 2018. Coach Chung is available for private individual foil and épée lessons. His MTFC students have achieved national rankings, earned a number of national medals, and represented the United States and Guatemala internationally.
Jisun Kim (Head Épée Coach). Coach Kim runs the beginning and intermediate foil programs as well as all the épée programs. She qualified for the South Korean national women's épée team when she was competing and has competed in a number of international events including the women's épée Grand Prix in Nankin, China in 2009. Coach Kim is available for private individual foil and épée lessons. Her MTFC students have achieved national rankings, earned a number of national medals, represented the United States internationally, and earned medals on the European Cadet (U17) World Cup circuit.
Tobias Lee, MD (Coach, Master in Épée and Prévôt in Foil, President of Metro Tacoma Fencing Club). Toby started fencing in 1986 at Lakeside High school. He was a member of the Harvard varsity fencing team as an épéeist from 1991-1994, coached by fencing master Branimir Zivkovic. He enjoys helping with beginner classes, open fencing, and competing whenever he is not on call for his cardiology practice. He has weapons ratings of A2024 in épée and B2022 in foil. He held simultaneous top 10 national rankings for his age group in both épée and foil in the 2022-2023 season. Toby earned a place on the 2022 US veteran 50 men's épée team and competed at the Veteran World Championships in Croatia in 2022. His US fencing referee ratings are R1 in foil and a R2 in épée (2012). Toby wrote the Beginner Fencers’ Guide. Additional information about Toby can be found at tobylee.com/fencing.htm.
Andrew Glynn (Coach, Moniteur in Foil, Treasurer of Metro Tacoma Fencing Club). Andy has been involved with fencing for more than 20 years. He is in charge of open fencing on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Previously, he ran the Youth Fencing Program at Metro Tacoma Fencing Club. He earned a C rating in épée in the past though he competed rarely and still much prefers the friendly atmosphere of open fencing. His passion is with the beginner fencers. Andy earned his certification from the United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) as a Moniteur in Foil in 2011. Andy previously served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer, took a break, and returned as treasurer in 2023.
Bill Sterling (Coach, Moniteur in Foil and Moniteur in Saber, Board member of Metro Tacoma Fencing Club) entered his first fencing competition 50 years ago and continues to compete in all three weapons. In years past he has coached fencers at UNT, the IFCS club (Texas) and studied with Masters Daniel Nevot, Thomas Bickley, George Platt and Harold Hayes (Foil), Thomas Bickley (Epee), and with Maestro Emric Degal (Saber). Over his long career he has competed both Nationally and Internationally. In 2015 as a Veteran he achieved an end of season number 15 National ranking in both Foil and Saber. Bill also holds an R2 Epee referee rating.
Andrew Lee (Coach, Assistant Moniteur). Andrew has been fencing since 2008. He consistently earned national points in épée in the youth, cadet (U17), and junior (U20) age groups. His highest finish was 21st for senior (open) men’s épée at the USA Fencing July Challenge in 2018. He represented the United States in the Cadet World Cup at Copenhagen, Denmark in 2015. He holds a classification of A2024 in épée and had a highest classification of C2016 in foil. He is a rated referee in foil and épée (2016). He graduated from Charles Wright Academy and Harvard College where he was a member of the varsity fencing team. He qualified to compete in the 2020 NCAA fencing championships. Andrew earned his certificate from the US Fencing Coaches Association as an Assistant Moniteur in 2013. His coaches were Dana Sanford and Daria Schneider. Andrew is the Metro Tacoma Fencing Club webmaster.
Instructor Assistants
Our club is dedicated not only to training our members in the sport of fencing but also to developing the next generation of leaders. Many of our fencers are working on or already have earned certifications as an assistant coach and referee. They will frequently assist in classes and may substitute when needed.
Yeongbin Chung (Instructor Assistant, Assistant Moniteur). Yeongbin volunteers weekly in our beginning and intermediate foil and épée classes as an assistant coach. He has weapons ratings of C2023 in foil and B2024 in épée. He has a refereee rating of L2 in foil (2022) and épée (2022). He earned his Assistant Moniteur certification in 2022.
Gabey Guerra (Instructor Assistant, Assistant Moniteur). Gabey has been fencing since 2014. He currently has a weapons rating of A2024 in foil. He holds national points in Division 1, Junior, and Cadet men's foil. He finished 2nd in Cadet men's foil at the 2024 Summer Nationals. He was captain of the Junior foil team that won the national championships in 2024. His Cadet foil team placed 3rd at the March North American Cup (NAC) in 2023. He finished 5th in the 2019 Summer National Championships in 2019 for Y10 men's foil. Gabey competed at the Pan American Games in 2017 and placed 3rd in Youth A (Y10). He has a referee rating of L2 in foil (2024) and épée (2024). He earned his Assistant Moniteur certification in 2024.
Christopher Lee (Instructor Assistant, Assistant Moniteur). Christopher has been fencing since 2013. He currently has weapons rating of B2024 in foil and C2023 in épée. In the 2023-2024 season he earned national points in Cadet men's foil, Y14 men's foil, and Y14 men's épée. He was the division 2 men's foil national champion in 2023. His Cadet foil team placed 3rd at the March North American Cup (NAC) in 2023. He has a refereee rating of L2 in foil (2023) and épée (2023). He earned his Assistant Moniteur certification in 2024.
Club Administrator
We have one very dedicated, hard-working, part-time club administrator who takes care of helping our fencers navigate our club, manages the club finances including membership billing and coach payroll, takes care of expenses such as rent and utilities, helps manage scheduling, and takes care of most non-coaching issues.
Yukiko Lee. She has been a member of Metro Tacoma Fencing Club since 2008. She took the beginner foil class long ago but decided that getting poked was not her thing (even though she had pretty good parries). Her three boys (Andrew, Benjamin, and Christopher) and husband (Toby) all fence, so she has continued to be very involved with the club. She served on the board of directors until the was asked to be the first part-time staff as her duties were full time in nature. She is very familiar with our club, local clubs, local fencing events, USA Fencing national events, and international events. Yukiko has passed a background check and completed the SafeSport training.
Retired Staff
We appreciate all the coaches who have helped mold the next generation of fencers.