Former Coaches

Coach Taras Telnykh is from Ukraine, land of a rich fencing culture and motherland to so many outstanding fencers and coaches. (Oleg Matseychuk, Michael Itkin, Sergey Golubitsky, Olga Kharlan, and many more!)

“I started my fencing journey when I was 11 years old, accidentally walking into the fencing class in one of the schools in my neighbourhood in Kyiv, Ukraine,” he said.

After learning fencing for a few months he started winning against more experienced fencers in his class. In the next year, he was invited to join the Republican School of Physical Education and Sport where he studied fencing professionally.

“I wasn’t physically stronger or taller than most of the kids of my age, but thanks to my coaches I found ways to outwit my opponents on the fencing piste.”

A few years later, coach Taras became part of the Ukrainian national team and in that role won multiple medals at national and international levels.

“My most vivid competition memory is the Junior World Championships in Baku 2010 where I finished 10th, losing by one point to my very familiar opponent from Hungary. At that moment I felt heart-broken, because of the lost opportunity to get a medal. However, after realising I had finished in the Top10 in the world I was inspired to share my experiences with younger generations of fencers.”

Coach Taras also competed in China and was ranked number 1 among Chinese Fencing Association fencers (Open category) at the end of 2020/2021season.

He studied Theory of Athletes’ Preparation in fencing and he holds a Master’s degree in Olympic sports.

“Fencing is a sport which gives children an opportunity to become independent, resilient and confident. But most important for me is that they enjoy and love practising this beautiful sport! My fencing journey began over 20 years ago and I’m glad to have the opportunity to introduce fencing to students in Sydney.”