Manhattan Fencing Center

I have been practicing at MFC for over 10 years. My coach is Mr. Sergey Isayenko. He has been my coach for over 5 years. I started fencing after I was 40 yeas old, so my progress is slow. However, he is patient and very polite to me. There are coaches who sometimes yell at students, but he is always calm and has no emotional ups and downs. There is a word he always tells me "believe in yourself". This is my favorite word. Believing in yourself is important not only in fencing but also in life.

Coach Sergey has been a wonderful instructor and mentor to my daughter. A fantastic club all around!

Our son has had the great fortune of being coached by Sergey Isayenko at the Manhattan Fencing Center since 2008. From Ben’s first en garde through many meaningful victories at the local, regional, national, international and NCAA competitions, Sergey has been there as a coach, a teacher and a role model. Sergey plays and coaches to win. Fencing is both physically and mentally quite demanding. To excel in the sport of fencing a person must be able to analyze and execute actions in offense and defense under pressure, while under attack and on the move and in fractions of seconds. Sergey expected commitment from Ben and in return for this commitment, he worked tirelessly with Ben to make him a competitive athlete. Sergey’s passion for sport and his work ethic is contagious so Ben was naturally more than willing to make this commitment and trust Sergey. Through their efforts together...

I have been training at MFC since going to college and have had an amazing experience there. The facility is extremely clean and spacious. A fencing club that large in the city is something hard to find. I take private lessons with Sergey. His lessons are tailored to what the fencer needs. Overall, my fencing has improved while at MFC by taking their group classes and private lessons. I highly recommend the club.

Manhattan Fencing Center has been like a second home to my daughters. Everyone from the office staff to the coaches is welcoming, responsive, and helpful. Under the leadership of Maestro Yury Gelman, this club is one of the preeminent fencing centers in the country. The most impressive feature of MFC is the care and consideration your child receives. Whether s/he is a novice fencer or potential Olympic contender, all the coaches devote their time and attention to every aspect of the fencer’s training. Coach Sergey introduced my daughters to fencing, and his enthusiasm instilled a lifelong love for the sport. He is the best coach because he is very precise and exacting but delivers his lessons with warmth and fun. As a parent, I truly appreciate his thoughtful critiques and helpful insights regarding my daughters’ progress. For these reasons, he is very popular so grab a lesson slot...

My children attended the Manhattan Fencing Center for 4 years they had very good time, the coaches were really professional one of my sons had Sergey Isayenko as coach for lessons and classes, he was really happy he thought Sergey was a great coach with a great personality, always positive and encouraging. We thought that Sergey was the most popular coach at MFC.

Coach Sergey is a truly gifted teacher. My 8 year old daughter looks forward to her one on one lessons every week, and has had a wonderful introduction to fencing through Coach Sergey who manages to be patient and encouraging while teaching in a careful, thorough manner.

I love Manhattan Fencing Club and so does my son. The coaches are incredibly supportive and positive, but also focused on helping everyone grow and give the students 1on1 attention. The facilities are always clean and well-equipped. You can just tell that everyone that works there absolutely loves what they are doing; the passion and dedication really shines through.

Yury, the Head Coach and the owner, couldn't be more helpful and accommodating. All the coaches are fantastic, great with fencers, kind, and patient.

Coach Sergey is phenomenal. He is greatly involved, truly loves fencing, and enjoys helping all fencers achieve their best. His students are happy and challenged. I actively see growth in my son’s abilities.

I also love the honesty and integrity of this exceptional place.

The coaches at Manhattan Fencing Center set the bar for aspiring fencers of all ages and levels. My son arrived as a tender four-year-old, marveling at the olympians flying through the air with swords, and with the steadfast guidance of Sergey and the other coaches, grew to a hulking 13 year old of 5’10 who has consistently achieved national standing in his age group. He learned how to lose with grace, never to give up against the fiercest foes, to set emotions to the side and solve problems under pressure, and he’s still learning. If your child is lucky enough to train with Sergey, they will learn integrity, sportsmanship, and have their boundaries stretched with every session while knowing that they are safe and that their efforts are understood and appreciated. I have seen Sergey and all the coaches at MFC praise smart work and dedication over lucky shots. They act as mentors and...

My kids’ experience at MFC has been incomparable. It is evident that the coaches truly care about the students and want to help them succeed. My daughters work with Coach Sergey Isayenko, who has all the qualities of a great coach. He is encouraging, patient, and has a constructive approach that is rare to find. More than that, Sergey incorporates skills that not only apply to fencing but life as well. He teaches good sportsmanship, hard work, discipline, and always finds the best in his students. My sons work with Coach Alex Sourimto and there are only positives to say about him. He is supportive, goal-oriented, and more importantly, has a lot of respect for his students. Both coaches have built great relationships and communicate well with my kids. Overall, MFC has been a great experience and we can’t be more appreciative to this club and it’s amazing coaches.