Our Coaches
Maksim Zaitsev
Head Coach
Maksim Zaitsev has over 30 years of fencing experience. He founded Arena Fencing Academy in 2016 and has produced multiple athletes who earned medals both regionally and nationally, and placed in top colleges where they are fencing in the NCAA circuit.
Originally from Tallinn, Estonia, coach Zaitsev was trained by Olympic coach Samuil Kaminsky from the age of 9. He was an A- rated fencer and finalist in the Estonian National Championship.
Maksim holds BA in Economics, from University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 2005
Achievements:
- Master of Sport of Fencing (A- Epee)
Estonian Junior National Finalist - Multiple finalist and semi finalist at National Championships
- Coached by National and Olympic coach Samuil Kaminsky
EXPERIENCES:
Arena Fencing Academy 2016-present
New Jersey Fencing Alliance 2012-2016
Medeo Fencing Club, NJ 2011-2012
MKA (Montclair Kimberley Academy) 2013-2015
Ridge High School, NJ (Women's Epee Squad Champions, 2012) 2011-2012
Columbia High School (State Champions)
Dana Hall High School, Wellesley, MA (Head Coach) 2004-2006
Boston Fencing Club, Brighton, MA 2001-2004
Anastasia (Nastia) Ferdman
Coach
Coach Nastia was born into a fencing family and was coached by her legendary father Yaaqov Ferdman since the age of 5. She represented Israel as a national team member from 1999- 2006. In 2006 she received a full scholarship at Penn State University and after graduation she began coaching full time.
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Coaching Education at Vingate Sports Institute of Israel 2005-2006
Penn State University 2006-2010
Achievements:
- 4 times Israeli National team member (starting in 1999- 2006 was part of every National team in Cadet, Juniors and Seniors in that time period)
- 13 times Israeli National Champion:
5 times in Senior
5 times in Junior
3 times in Cadet
- 5 times semi-finalist at Junior World Cups:
BRONZE medalist at Junior World Championship 2000
SILVER team medalist at European Championships and 5th individual
8th at Cadet World Championship in Turkey 2002
NCAA Team Champion 2007, 2009, 2010
Individual NCAA Champion 2009
First Team All-American 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Regional Champion: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
EXPERIENCES:
Temple University Assistant Coach 2012-2014
Yaakov Ferdman
Coach
Yakov Ferdman began his fencing career in 1972 while studying at University. In 1980, he founded a fencing club in his hometown. In 1985, he was appointed as the coach of the Belarus National Junior and Cadet épée team, a position he held until his emigration to Israel in 1990.
Upon his arrival in Israel, Yakov Ferdman and his family initially settled in the city of Akko, where he worked as a fencing coach. For about three years, he coached at the Hapoel Akko Fencing Club under the guidance of the renowned coach Chaim Hatuel.
In 1993, the family moved to Ma'alot-Tarshiha, where Yakov Ferdman organized fencing lessons for students at ORT Ma'alot High School, where he was employed as a physical education teacher. About a year later, with the support of the city administration, Yakov Ferdman was provided with a sports hall for fencing training, which is still used by the Maccabi Ma'alot Fencing Club today.
The Israel national fencing team conducts training camps for all age groups at the Maccabi Ma'alot club in Ma'alot-Tarshiha.
Achievements:
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A professional fencer and Master of Sport in fencing (Epee)
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State 'Badge of Honor' of Israel.
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Six-time recipient of the Israeli Ministry of Culture and Sport Award.
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Among the fencers trained by Yakov Ferdman are Anastasia Ferdman, Dana Strelnikova, Alena Komarova, Vera Kanevskaya, Anna London, Nicole Tal, and others.
EXPERIENCES:
Coach of the Belorussian National Junior and Cadet Fencing Team (Epee) from 1985 to 1990.
Head coach and founder of the 'Maccabi Maalot' fencing club in Israel.
Member of the coaching staff of the Israeli National Fencing Team.
Connor Kravit
Coach
A patient teacher who is passionate about building strong athletes.
Achievements:
- A Rated Fencer National Medalist.
- Former Division 1 Collegiate Athlete
- Collegiate North Eastern Conference Individual Gold Medalist (2021 & 2022)
EXPERIENCES:
3 Years of coaching experience
10 Years of competitive fencing experience
International Competitor
Lina Lur’ye
Coach
Coach Lina Lur’ye has been fencing since 2002 and coaching since 2012. From 2012-2017, Lina was a head coach at Bergen Academies where she received a coach of the year award for leading the girl’s team to a first in state finish. In 2017, Lina began coaching at Fair Lawn High School and in 2022 created the first fencing program at Eagle Academy, Newark (the only fencing team in Newark Public Schools). Lina also medaled in Women's Div III Epee at the 2023 Summer National Tournament.
Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
BA in English (w/ Concentration in Creative Writing), and Minor in Russian Language, Class of 2011
Achievements:
- Former collegiate fencer with a focus on epee and foil disciplines
- Assisted in coaching top-ranking fencers in National tournaments
EXPERIENCES:
English Teacher at Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark, since 2015
Head Coach at Bergen Academies, 2012-2017
Jaime Ayala
Coach
Coach Jaime’s career started in 2008, a year after moving from Mexico. Coach Jaime is a
certified Moniteur d’Epée from the USFCA. He is constantly learning more from a variety of
international coaches in order to become a better athlete and coach. After graduating from
Morris Hills, Coach Jaime continued his fencing career training under different coaches,
including: Maestro Jerzy Grzymski, Dr. Ron Miller, Lisa Campi-Sapery, Sebastien Dos Santos,
and Maestro Marcos Lucchetti. Coach Jaime continues to be a competitive athlete.
As the Randolph HS Epee Coach, and later the PCTI Head Coach, Coach Jaime has helped his
students achieve exceptional results, including County Championships, multiple top 10 in NJ
State Championship, and a Honduras National Team Member and Top 4 in Central American
Championships. He not only brings his language expertise to the piste, but an assortment of
fencing knowledge.
Achievements:
- Top 10 Mexico National University Ranking
- 3rd place National Team Foil
- Rated in all three weapons
EXPERIENCES:
Multiple students sent to NCAA Division 1 & 3 programs including:
- Jayson Zelaya - Honduras National Team Member and NJIT Div1 student-athlete.