I’ve been a fencing parent for over ten years and have a lot of experience at the local, regional, national and international levels. After spending over a decade at another club, we recently made the switch to Scarsdale Fencing and Coach Achiko -
and I only wish we had made this switch many years ago! What can I say that would convince you that this is one of the best clubs your fencer can ever be a part of, and if you want your fencer to excel in this sport, to grow, to love it, to want to fence everyday, that you should come to Scarsdale Fencing? From one parent to another: Coach Achiko and Coach Maksim have a PASSION for what they do. They love fencing; they love teaching kids fencing; they want to see your kids get better and better at fencing. This isn’t a job for them; this is truly their life’s calling. In Coach Achiko’s words, every single one of the kids at the club are his fencing kids. You feel the sincerity of these words when he’s running class, giving them a lesson, or coaching them stripside. There is an enthusiasm, an energy, a freshness to what they do. It’s not just about winning medals, or making a name for the club - these coaches actually care about your kid and want to pull the best out of them. They’re amazing. I’ve seen a lot of coaches, but I’ve never met someone like Coach Achiko. So if you’re still on the fence about whether or not to come, this isn’t a paid endorsement. I was on the fence about switching for so many years and I regret all the years I wasted being on the fence. Coach Achiko WILL make your fencer be the best that he or she can be. He cares. His club is professional, with incredible group classes, a supportive environment from coaches, kids, and parents alike, and a seriousness to what they do. Don’t hesitate like I did. You won’t regret it.

Good fencing club!

Scarsdale Fencing Center ( SFC)

SFC is a great environment that is conducive to learning about such an intriguing sport. The coaches are in complete control of the program, which is geared toward improving performance, knowledge, and enjoyment of the sport of fencing.

A ++ facility with dedicated instructors and staff. Maksim and Achiko are amazing. They break down every detail and make it very easy to understand. My son is always excited after his lessons. Best thing: personalized attention, not a "factory" where you are just another nameless face in a large clinic session. Two enthusiastic thumbs up

My daughter started earlier this year, and she is having a lot of fun! Her coach Achiko is one of the best Saber coaches, and the other SFC coaches are also outstanding.

All the coaches are experienced and great with kids who may be shy or anxious about starting a new sport.

This review is long overdue.....my daughter has trained with Coach Achiko for 9 years and Coach Maksim since SFC began. You will not find finer coaches (or people) anywhere in the world. They are also very selective in any new coaches they bring in (as they have very high standards), and all have been amazing as well. The vibe and atmosphere at the club is highly sought after and extremely rare, as nearly every time I drive the girls carpool home from practice, they all rave and gush about how fun it is and how it's one of the best parts of their weeks. The girls genuinely love going to their weekly practices at SFC. The community -- families and kids -- are all kind, helpful, and welcoming. The kids help the other kids. The parents help the other parents. Everyone "pays it forward". SFC combines world class coaching, personalized attention, team-oriented family feel, great facilities, stability, and a nurturing growth/competitive environment for kids to learn and progress. I'd recommend SFC 100% without a doubt to anyone looking to try out fencing. Bravo!

Scarsdale Fencing Club is new and elegant, but this club is special because of the people; the coaches and the community. With compassion, coaches Achiko and Maxim guide fencers to be at their highest level. The coaches emphasize discipline and diligence, and inspire fencers to love the sport. The community - both fencers and parents - is wonderful. Our boys have formed a strong bond with other fencers, who are incredibly supportive and caring. The parents are very helpful, and our family is absolutely thrilled to be part of this club.

Scarsdale Fencing Center may be new but Coaches Maxim and Achiko (friends and teammates since their early teens) have a wealth of experience training their students with many becoming highly accomplished fencers earning national and international recognition. My daughter has been Achiko’s student for over 6 years starting from the age of 8. What I noticed from the very beginning was Achiko’s fine attention to technique, always adjusting his students’ form and footwork. This lays crucial groundwork for success at older ages where strategy is key and where experienced opponents easily take advantage of sloppy form and footwork. Achiko and Maxim at Scarsdale Fencing Center don’t just teach fencing moves but have a cohesive methodology encompassing technique, footwork and strategies. Achiko is a dedicated coach providing emotional and mental support, always checking in with my daughter after her bad and good days. I highly recommend Scarsdale Fencing Center and Coaches Maxim and Achiko!

My daughter has been a student of Coach Achiko Lortkipanidze for a number of years and we are very excited to follow him to his new club. SFC is beautiful airy sunny new facility with everything a new or an experienced fencers can wish for - wonderful coaches with the track record of national & international competitions results, solid track record students recruited by top colleges, and a nurturing atmosphere our kids need.

Really beautiful Fencing Hall with state-of-the-art equipment. Allot of natural light. World-class coaching by both Maestros. Very nice people and great fencers.