Coach Nataliya Maximovich PhD

TFC is fortunate to have acquired Nataliya Maximovich, a PhD in Sports Physiology and Pedagogical Science. She is a superb addition to The Fencing Center's athlete development program(s). She has been recognized by the National Ministries of Sport in the Former USSR and her home, the Republic of Kazakhstan for her work with championship fencers.

Dr. Maximovich oversaw the Graduate Studies Program at the Kazakhstan Academy of Sport in Almaty Kazakhstan including coaches development and recertification. She has supported the development of over 250 coaches in her career who are actively coaching throughout the world. Some of these coaches are in the USA and include Victor Svatenko, Head Coach Us Modern Pentathalon Team; Yakov Danilenko and Vyacheslav Grigoriev NYC; and Bakhit Abdikulov (Chicago).

In addition to being a renowned developer of professional competitive coaches, Dr. Maximovich is also a 3 time national foil champion for Kazakhstan. She coached the 1990 Kazakhstan Women's Foil team to the gold medal in the USSR Nationals, and coached the 1991 Kazakhstan Sport Academy team to the gold medal in the USSR Collegiate Championships. She has prepared over 1000 athletes who have gone on to become fencing champions in Kazakhstan, the USSR, and medalists at World Cup and Olympic Competitions.

Dr. Maximovich brings her talent to The San Jose Fencing Center to enable our mission of supporting local, national, and international competitive fencing.

She is implementing a youth development program designed to provide a fun environment that supports the rapidly developing minds and bodies of young athletes. She is also available to consult with and support educational institutions in their athletic programs both academic and competitive.

Coach Michael Botenhagen

Michael Botenhagen, A2002 Epee, has been training for the past 3 years with Alexandr and Nataliya Maximovich as a student and a coach. Placing 2nd at both the 1999 and 2001 Pacific Coast Championship Games in Las Vegas, NV, Mike finished 8th at the 2002 Duel in the Desert.

Awarded the classification of Level II Instructor in The German Epee System at Halberstadt Fencing Studio, San Francisco, CA 1992 and Level II Epee Instructor, USFA National Coaching Development Program, Coaches College, Colorado Springs, CO. 1999, Mike has helped start and develop many junior and adult fencers.

Coach Connie Yu

A founding member of The Fencing Center's first board of directors, Connie Yu, selected as the USFA Western Region Developmental coach of the year in 2000, has over 16 years of competitive fencing experience and is a certified Moniteur D'Escrime in foil and epee by the USFCA (United States Fencing Coaches Association). Connie has organized, managed, and coached 6 Junior fencing camps and is the founder and coach of the Fencing Outreach Program at the Palo Alto JCC. Coach Yu trains junior and adult fencers at the Fencing Center. Yu's students have won the Men's Foil and Epee at the Junior Pacific Coast Championships (PCCs), and the Women's Epee at the 1998 U19 PCCs. Additionally, 2 of her students were among the top 10 youth fencers being considered for the 1998 Moscow Youth World Championship team. Connie, mother of Jennifer (1990 National Foil Champion & World Championship team member), Jessica (Oscar Winner and Multiple World Championship team member) and Marty (Multiple World Championship team member) brings a long history of excellence to youth, junior, and adult development at TFC including several finalists at Junior Olympics and national circuit events.

Tom Vlahos

Tom Vhalos teaches foil classes and gives private lessons to youth and adults. A competitive fencer as well as coach, Tom is a teacher in the Evergreen elementary school district. He makes the Introduction to Fencing class fun and has developed useful drills for advanced fencers. His emphasis on footwork and solid fencing technique has boosted the skill level of novice and experienced fencer alike.