New York, NY — July 2021 — Coach Ahmed Hamdy joins the Tim Morehouse Fencing Club to work with saber fencers in Port Chester and at Chelsea Piers CT.
He comes directly from the Air Force Academy, where he was assistant coach, where he worked with Division I fencer Leanne Singleton-Comfort. Prior to that, he was the saber coach for the Egyptian National Team (and in fact, coaches TMFC’s own Ziad Elsissy, who is competing for Egypt in the 2020/1 Olympics).
His time with both organizations was legendary with Coach Hamdy and his fencers earning piles of accolades like:
2021 Western Fencing Conference Men's Saber Squad Coach of the Year;
In 2019-20, Air Force had five fencers earn NCAA bids, the most since 2015;
During his time with the Egyptian National Team, it won the African Championships in individual and team competition in 2015 and 2016; and
Egypt earned a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in 2016 and a World Cup junior team fourth-place finish in 2016.
Coach Hamdy has also been a USA Fencing National Referee since 2004. He is a 2002 graduate of Alexandria University (Alexandria, Egypt) where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education.
Now let Coach Hamdy tell you about his fencing in his own words.
How/when did you start fencing?
I tried many sports before I started fencing (soccer, basketball and track and field). My father was working in the fencing club so he asked me to try it — that was 1993.
Is there something you learned from a coach or fellow fencer early on that has stuck with you?
Being a fencing coach has really helped me to become a good father. I know how to deal with multiple people with different personalities. My fencers are like my kids — we learn a lot from each other even outside the fencing life.
How/when did you start coaching?
I started around 2000. The club manager decided to have the generation that was still fencing share their experiences with younger fencers.
What is your philosophy when it comes to coaching beginners?
The basics are very important to me — en grade position, advances, retreats, balance.
Coaching more experienced fencers?
It is very important to understand the timing because that’s everything in saber — the balance and the timing.
How are you different from other fencing coaches?
I am a normal coach. Understanding how to be a good coach is not just on the strip, having good skills, preparing a fencer for the competition, getting the best out of him, and improving and fixing all of his problems. All of that becomes easy once they love you as a person and coach.
What do you think is your expertise within weapons?
I used to fence all three weapons. I referee all three. As a coach, I am saber only.
Do you have any cool, offbeat or fun hobbies?
I love helping people. Plus, l love playing soccer and handball.
To schedule a trial lesson with Coach Hamdy or any of our other coaches, please click here.