FORGE is thrilled to welcome one of the most accomplished figures in American fencing to our coaching team, three-time Olympian Mika’il Sankofa.
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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.
We want to focus on more than what happens beyond an individual lesson instead of what happens over thousands of lessons.
At Forge, success is measured by more than tournament results. Forge Fencing and the Forge Foundation work together to develop leaders through sport, and the Team Values Awards and Forge Foundation Service Awards recognize athletes who exemplify perseverance, resilience, integrity, community, and service. These athletes help strengthen our culture and make Forge a place where everyone can thrive both on and off the strip.
In the winter of 2009, I loaded everything I owned into the back of my jeep and moved to Durham. When I arrived at Mid-South Fencers’ Club, I walked down the stairs into the small basement training space on Broad Street. I saw our Head Coach, Jennifer Oldham, giving a lesson to this little old guy over in the corner. Up until this point, I had worked almost exclusively with kids, I didn’t have any context for working with adults, let alone “senior citizens”. Later on I asked Jen what was happening. She told me Vic was diagnosed with cancer and that he was taking fencing lessons as a way to move his body, but also to test out what he could do, and how he felt. It was a way for Vic to connect his powerful mind, and his body, to try and heal.
Forge Fencing was thrilled to welcome the Holderness Family into our facility to film their segment “Penn vs. Future Olympians.”
As many know, the Holderness Family are online content creators, known for their award-winning comedy sketches, original music, song parodies, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over 2 billion views and over 9 million followers. Penn and Kim are also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS and New York Times Bestselling authors.
The Priority on Youth Tournament (POY) Series continues! The second event January 27th & 28th saw Forge Fencing hosting 46 athletes from 5 different clubs from across North Carolina competing in all three weapons. Apex Fencing Academy referees and to Forge Teams Teen Leaders for sharing their time and expertise. Full results…
Forge welcomed 398 competing athletes from Region 6 of USA Fencing over the weekend of October 14th & 15th, 2023. The event had a total of 233 foil entries, 218 epee entries, 245 saber entries and included 16 events representing all three Olympic-style fencing weapons in the categories of Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet and Junior events.
Forge Fencing will have 32 fencers competing in 16 events across 2 days this weekend at the Bull City RYC/RJCC/Y8 the weekend of October 14th & 15th, 2023. This USA Regional Qualification event will take place at the Leroy T. Walker Physical Education and Recreation Complex on the North Carolina Central University campus.
Forge Fencing, a local leading fencing organization, is thrilled to announce the Bull City Y8 – RYC – RJCC fencing tournament will be held at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), a distinguished Historically Black College or University (HBCU). This historic event marks a pivotal moment in USA Fencing, as it is the first regional fencing tournament to take place on the campus of an HBCU.
Forge Fencing Academy concluded its first season of the re-launched Priority on Youth Tournament Series on June 3rd and 4th. Athletes from across North Carolina came to Durham to compete in Foil, Epee, and Saber in a variety of age categories. This event was the fifth in a series of events designed to promote youth fencing development in NC. The finalé event featured 48 athletes representing 4 different clubs from across the state. Checkout our photo album here!
Maître Marie-Chantal Demaille is a three-time foil Olympian and former French National Coach. She is thrilled to host a clinic in the United States alongside her friend and mentee, Christophe Duclos. Christophe will act as her translator and host. The clinic is designed for fencers aged 30+ who want to work and train with a fencing master who specializes in foil and epee lifetime athletic development.