Coach Rabieh, Ra’ad (Rod)

Rod started fencing at the age of 13 in Jordan. He trained and was educated in more than one school of fencing, such as the Middle Eastern, European, and Asian schools.

In 1996, he moved to the United States of America pursuing a master’s degree in International Law (LL.M) and graduated from the University of San Francisco in 1998.  After which, moved to a number of countries and States as his career required.

However, he never lost contact with the fencing world, either as a competitor or as a coach.  He was responsible for founding fencing academies and developing fencing programs for a number of clubs throughout the globe.  After more than 10 years as an international Attorney and a fencing instructor, he realized that he is happiest when he is teaching fencing and training athletes.  The decision was made; a career change was in order to follow his passion.

In 2004, together with Coach Iain Shovelin, established the International Fencing Academy in Mesa, Arizona.

Mr. Rabieh made the permanent move back to the Bay Area, California to be closer to his family, and accepted and coach’s position at one of the local fencing clubs in 2007.

In July 2009, Ra'ad accomplished his dream, founding a modern state of the art fencing academy in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Some of the high lights regarding his fencing career as a competitor and as a coach are:
•        He was the kingdom’s national champion in his home country of Jordan and ranked number one for a number of years. He was a member of the national team for over 7 years. At the collegial level Rod was the Emerited Kingdoms Champion.
•        Coach Rabieh has taken his students to very high levels winning a gold medal at a world cup competition in Montreal, Canada (2004), as well as many other high level national and international placements. He has steadily and quickly brought out foil and epee students' talents raising them through the ranks and ratings, and on to college scholarships.

Rabieh achievement and contribution to the sport of fencing was recognized by a number of official entities such as:
•         The Jordanian Fencing Federation;
•         The Jordanian Ministry of Youth;
•         The International Jordanian Athletes Association; and more

Coach Alexander Maximovich – Épée coach

Alexander began his coaching career in 1976 and since then has coached National foil and épée teams in Kazakhstan, USSR and Turkey before coming to the USA in 2000.  Since then he has coached épée at several clubs in the Bay Area and New York before joining IFA.

Included amongst Alexander’s many achievements are:
•    Assistant Head Coach to USSR National team leading them to -
Team gold medal (foil) in 1988 Olympics
Team gold medal (foil) in 1989 World Championships
Team bronze medal (foil) in 1990 World Championships
•    Head Foil
Coach to National Kazakhstan Fencing Team when they placed 3rd in 1995 Asian Championships
•    Coach to
Vaycheslav Grigoriev (USSR National Team) who became the 1990 and 1992 USSR National Champion and 1989 USSR Cup winner
•    Head Épée
Coach to National Kazakhstan Fencing Team (1981-84) and the Trade Union USSR Fencing Team (1984-86)