Coaches

Coach Brian Chen brings nearly twenty years of competitive saber fencing experience and over six years of professional coaching expertise, combining elite technical knowledge with a proven record of athlete development. He began fencing at age 12 under the guidance of former U.S. Junior and Cadet National Team Coach Boris Khurgin, and later taught alongside acclaimed fencer and coach Andrew Fischl.

Coach Brian’s training was further shaped at Manhattan Fencing Center, home to the U.S. Olympic saber team and one of the most respected training environments in the country. There, he studied under legendary 7-time Olympic Coach and Hall of Famer Yury Gelman, gaining exposure to world-class systems and high-performance methodology.

During this period, Coach Brian also served as a training partner for multiple national team athletes and developed a deep understanding of elite competitive preparation. His fencing background was further refined through additional domestic and international training programs training alongside national team fencers from around the world.

As a USA Fencing Certified Coach, Brian has spent nearly six years coaching saber at several fencing clubs across Long Island, serving as the primary coach for competitive fencers across multiple levels. He also previously served as the Head Coach of the Cold Spring Harbor Varsity Fencing Team, leading the program and mentoring student-athletes both competitively and academically.

Coach Brian has guided many students who began as complete beginners into highly accomplished competitors, earning medals and top placements at regional and national tournaments. His athletes include a 2-time National Bronze Medalist ranked 5th in the United States, as well as a student ranked 8th in the Northeast Region who earned All-Long Island honors in her high school debut.

Many of Coach Brian’s students have earned All-American, All-County, and All-Long Island awards, including both Suffolk and Nassau County Saber Individual Champions and numerous boys’ and girls’ saber medalists. His coaching philosophy emphasizes technical excellence, competitive intelligence, and the discipline required to perform under pressure.

Coach Brian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from Stony Brook University and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from New York University.