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Coach Yakov

COACH YAKOV DANILENKO, Founder & Head Coach of Medeo Fencing Club

Coach Yakov’s capabilities and devotion to the sport of fencing is evident in his long list of achievements and lengthy history in the sport. With a quiet demeanor, Yakov has developed and raised an endless stream of accomplished fencers that have made their marks locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Students that train with Yakov need only one set of characteristics to succeed- devotion to fencing, consistency & hard work.

  • Yakov received a Master’s Degree in Physical Education (USSR 1979) and Master of Sports in Fencing (equivalent to an A-rated fencer here in the US)

  • Honored Fencing Coach of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Highest honor attained by coaches in the former USSR)

Yakov has coached and produced many great fencers including:

  • 2019 Junior Women’s Epee National Champion- Dasha Yefremenko

  • 2019 Jr World Championships US Team Member- Lola Constantino

  • 2019 Cadet World Championships US Team Member- Jessica Lin

  • 2018 Y14 Women’s Epee National Champion- Jessica Lin

  • 2018 Y10 National Champion- Anousheh Reid

  • 2017 Division 2 Women’s Epee National Champion- Jessica Lin

  • 2016 Division 2 Women’s Epee National Champion- Kristina Khaw

  • 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011 US National Veteran World Team Member: Janice Midgley

  • 2014 Cadet World Championships US Team Member- C. Kai Liu

  • 2014 Jr Olympics Women’s Epee National Champion- Dasha Yefremenko

  • 2013 Div 2 Women’s Epee National Champion- Dasha Yefremenko

  • 2013 Div 3 Women’s Epee National Champion- Amanda Choy

  • 2012 Div 3 Women’s Epee National Champion- Liz Elkind

  • 2012 Y14 Women’s Epee National Champion- C. Kai Liu

  • 2007 Junior Olympics Cadet Finalist & U -19 2007 National Champion- Eric Gurnowski  

  • 2007 Individual State Champion & 2006 Bronze Medal at Div III Summer Nat. – Alex Kozyra

  • 2007 Ben Wieder – Member of US National Team, Belek, Turkey

  • 2006 National Championships Sweep: Is the first coach in the U.S. who produced a SWEEP of Gold, Silver and Bronze (1st -Diane Zielinski – National Champion, 2nd - Claire Brandow and 3rd - Stephanie Chang in the U.S.!) in the same event (Div 2 Women’s Epée) at 2006 National Championships in Atlanta, GA

  • 2006 Summer Nat. Men’s Epée Team – Bronze Medal

  • 2006, 2007 Individual State Champion – Alex van den Bergh

  • 2003 Nat Champ. U-19 Finalists, New Jersey Cup Winners- Ben Wieder and Morgan Midgley

  • 2003 Summer Nat. Women’s Epée Team – Bronze Medal

  • 2002 NAC Div III Winner, Silver Medalist 2003 Div II – Rachel Rowe.

  • 2002 US Junior Olympics Finalist. U-19 Summer Nat. Finalist– Teddy Sherrill,

  • 2001 NAC Div II Silver Medalist, 2003 State Champ– Alexa Rose

  • 2001 NAC Div III  Men’s Epee – Sam Korb

  • 2000 Individual State Champion- Solmaz Firoz

  • Bronze Medal Winner of the 1999 US Junior Olympics, Dennis Kharchenko

  • Yakov has also coached winners of Asian, European, Collegiate & High School Competitions and (too numerous to mention listed in detail) recent National event medalists and finalists.

  • He is also the co-founder of the Sister’s Academy Fencing Program in Asbury Park, NJ

  • Yakov has coached numerous State/District Epee Champions and an extraordinary number of students that go on to be NCAA fencers in college.

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