At Forge Fencing, success isn’t only measured only by touches scored, medals won, or tournaments attended. Forge is also a place for developing confidence, initiative, collective responsibility, and leadership.
As our summer ends and a new season starts, we’re proud to celebrate three graduated Forge teen leaders – Josh Sun, Tyson Deck, and Matthew Chaves – whose impact we are seeing far beyond our facility on N. Duke Street in downtown Durham, NC.
Josh Sun: Building Fencing Community at Duke
Josh Sun entered as a freshman at Duke University in 2025 and he didn’t leave fencing behind. He still wanted to fence, but did not want the commitment of a varsity team. Josh took the initiative to start a fencing club at Duke.
Launching a new club required much more than he expected.
“Beyond my abilities on the strip and as a coach, I had to recruit members, build a leadership structure, persuade Duke that a fencing club would be worth supporting, establish a social media presence, and so much more. These were challenges new to me, but with the help of Forge Fencing and Coaches Jen and Jeff, I managed to get the club up and running.” – Josh Sun, Duke Class of ‘29
Josh’s efforts in building community reflects the expanding access to fencing in North Carolina since 2007 with the opening of Mid-South Fencers’ Club. We’re proud of Josh bringing his Forge experience to Duke and introducing more students to the sport that has been such an important part of his own development.
Josh Sun posting after his first year at Duke University as an undergrad.
Tyson Deck: Taking His Experience to New York City
Tyson Deck, after his first year at Penn State University and competing on their NCAA fencing team, continued his fencing journey in New York City this summer, where he interned with Tim Morehouse Fencing (TMFC).
Tyson got a chance to experience fencing from a new perspective: learning about the work that happens beyond practices and competitions in one of the largest fencing clubs in the country. He saw firsthand how leaders in the sport build programs, create opportunities, and grow the fencing community. Being outside of Durham and experiencing a place where the population density and sport culture is much bigger has expanded his perspective.
“My time in New York City showed me many things, but most importantly it proved something to me: no matter where I am in the world, fencers will always act like “Fencers.” The community at TMFC greeted me with open arms and allowed me to form lasting connections that will stay long after my internship. Besides [learning] the training style of clubs in NYC, being able to teach a generation of new fencers from the ground up was nothing but inspiring. My internship gave me a chance to see myself in each one of my students. Their growth reminded me of why I fell in love with fencing in the first place and why I want to continue to grow. It was a pleasure and a blessing to be put in a position where I can Coach, Lead, and Build all at the same time. I am extremely grateful for Coach Jen and Coach Jeff for encouraging me to take this journey!”
-Tyson Deck, Penn State ‘28
We can’t wait to see what comes next for Tyson! His pursuit of excellence—from Penn State to NYC and beyond—is inspiring, but what’s especially exciting is the perspective and connections he brings back to North Carolina. Seeing what he and others at Forge have accomplished here already, while continuing to build relationships and learn from people and places outside our state, helps us imagine what’s possible for the future growth and development within our own communities.
Tyson Deck working teaching beginning fencing at Tim Morehouse in NYC.
Matthew Chaves: Helping Build What's Next
Matthew Chaves is looking beyond his college fencing experience and is diving into the impact of sport both locally and globally.
As an intern with Forge Sport Consulting, Matthew is helping launch a new arm of Forge Fencing which focuses on bringing the experience, systems, and lessons developed within our organization to new projects and opportunities.
Matthew’s work with the Kakuma Initiative and the FISU World University Games is helping us prepare for global fencing events that will have a local impact on our community.. At the same time, Matthew is gaining an understanding of how organizational structures require community investments for global impact.
"Some of the most meaningful connections in my life have come through sports, and this summer I got to see what makes that possible. Between meetings with coaches in Kenya, [making] a proposal to the International Fencing Federation (FIE), and running a fencing class for the World University Games interns, I've been exposed to the structural side of sport that allows those experiences to happen. It's the part most people never see, and it's where I want to be. I am extremely thankful to Coach Jeff and Coach Jen for being those people behind the scenes for me all these years." - Matthew Chaves, Brandeis ‘27
Matthew Chaves will be a senior at Brandeis this fall and is a decorated member of their NCAA Division III program.
From Fencers to Leaders
Josh, Tyson, and Matthew all left Forge and headed in different directions, but there is a common thread connecting their stories.
Josh is building. Tyson is expanding. Matthew is launching. All are using their Forge Fencing experience.
Eventually, every competitive bout ends. Every season finishes. Students graduate and leave, some come back. Skills developed along the way can carry a fencer much farther than the fencing strip.
We are incredibly proud of Josh, Tyson, and Matthew—not simply for where they are going, but for the initiative they are showing in getting there.
We can’t wait to see what comes next!
Alvin So is a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at Duke University and a former competitive sabre fencer for the Hong Kong National Team, having competed in multiple international tournaments.
As a coach and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), he combines his psychology degree from UCLA with performance psychology principles to develop athletes both physically and mentally. Alvin aims to work at the intersection of fencing performance and rehabilitation to better serve the fencing community.
Jennifer K. Oldham, M.S., is a nationally recognized fencing coach and leader with experience in high-performance athlete development, club management and in both private club and NCAA coaching. Coach Jen combines her background in counseling psychology with extensive technical expertise to foster resilient, independent athletes.
Her career includes serving as a designated coach for Team USA, chairing the US Fencing Coaches Association Certification and Accreditation Board, and co-founding WFencing to advance professional development for women in the sport. Jennifer has guided over 100 national medalists and 7 international medalists, consistently advocating for long-term coaching and athlete development programs within Team USA. She is the owner of Forge Fencing Academy and Club and consultant with Forge Sport Consulting.