Olympia Fencing Center Founder and Coach, Daniel Hondor
Started his swordplay career with dreams of earning a spot among the Three Musketeers.
Enthralled by the adventures of the trio, 7-year-old Daniel picked up his first rapier, beginning an association with fencing that would eventually take him around the world as a member of Romania’s national team.
Eventually, after years of international dueling, he set down the sword and took up the mantle of coach, teaching the Romanian Junior Team techniques he’d learned throughout his career.
The 1996 Atlanta Olympics Games brought him to America, where he continues to share the art of fencing with students of all ages and experience levels.
He and his fellow instructors lead adult programs that help veteran swordsmen sharpen their skills and introduce novices to the sport’s intricacies.
In homage to his childhood inspiration, he also hosts Musketeers classes that acquaint kiddies aged 6–10 with basic rules and moves, preparing them for future classes and eventual careers as knights of the realm.
He was a mentor for eight years for over 100 fencers as head coach at Bay State Fencers Club, in Somerville, MA.
Assistant Coach: Mark Elbag
Mark began fencing as a teenager, fell in love with the sport and made fencing part of his life. Hard Work and dedication brought him an A classification in Epee (the highest awarded by the United States Fencing Association) after only three years of training under Daniel.
Assistant Coach: Scott Foster
Scott Foster is a mathematics teacher with the Boston Public Schools and holds a Master’s Degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Scott learned to fence at his local Y and as a youth fencer reached the semi-finals at the National Junior Olympics solely on the basis of group lessons. Scott continues to train and compete as well as coach.
Here are few of our well known epee fencers and some of their results:
Alejandra Trumble: Alejandra has been fencing with coach Daniel Hondor for over 7 years beginning as a shy 10-year-old and building to being a nationally and internationally ranked Women’s Epee fencer. She is an alternate for the US Women’s Epee Cadet Team. Her work with Daniel and commitment to fencing has lead to increased confidence, discovery of her athletic potential, national and international travel and lifelong friendships within the club and fencing community. She now gives back to the club and the sport as an assistant coach for beginner fencing classes. “Daniel and all the friends I have made through fencing continue to push me to do my best competitively, physically, mentally and academically while creating a welcoming, encouraging and pretty hilarious community I am proud to call my second home.”
Connor Ghazaleh: Connor has trained with Daniel Hondor for 3 years during which time he has placed in local and national Men’s Epee tournaments . “Fencing is a unique sport because it requires you to think in addition to just being athletic. I love creating strategies and having to think about how to beat an opponent instead of just having to be stronger or faster than the other person. It also has given me a way to channel my energy. I am a very active person who never likes to sit down, and fencing requires you to be in tip top physical condition and also uses up a lot of energy. Part of the reason I love fencing so much is because I have a great coach. Daniel expects a lot out of me and is always pushing me do do better and better. There is always another challenge for me to confront. I find that Daniel is different from other coaches that I have had in other sports as because he connects with me not only on the strip but also on a personal level. As well as being my coach Daniel is also a friend that I can talk to or ask for help about anything. Fencing is a valuable part of my life and I spend countless hours at the club practicing. I don’t know where I’d be without fencing.”
George Scott: George was a member of the Fencing Team at Temple University and returned to fencing after a 30-year ‘vacation’. “When my 11-year-old son started fencing, I decided it was time for me to return. My goal is to make the US Veteran Team and compete at the Veteran World Championship.”
Natalia Stavinsky: Natalia has fenced for 3 years with coach Daniel Hondor. “Skating was always my sport — until I started watching my daughter’s fencing classes. Now I am as hooked as she is!”
Cristina Gordet: Cristina competes nationally and internationally, winning the Silver individual medal and the Gold team medal at the 2012 Can/Am Veterans Challenge in Toronto. She trains with coach Daniel Hondor. ”I started fencing because my daughter fenced. After watching many of her practices, it dawned on me that it would be much more fun to actually try to stab people with a pointy object rather than to watch other people trying to stab people with a pointy object. I joined an adult class – and I was instantly hooked, not just to fencing but to the fencing community (many of my best friends are fencing friends!).”
