Our Coaches
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The coaches at Las Vegas Fencing Academy are unified in terms of their styles of teaching and vision for member advancement. Private lessons can be booked directly with each coach or with front desk. Private lessons are exclusive to LVFA members and incur an additional strip rental fee of $10/ half hour.
LVFA offers instruction in all three fencing disciplines – épée, sabre, and foil. While we are primarily an épée-focused club, we also provide sabre and foil classes, private lessons, and open fencing.
Épée is based on traditional dueling. The entire body is valid target area, and there is no right-of-way—whoever hits first scores. Simultaneous touches award points to both fencers.
Sabre is the fastest weapon. Target area is from the waist to the head, and it uses right-of-way rules to determine which touch counts.
Foil has the smallest target area (torso only) and also uses right-of-way rules, emphasizing precision and timing.
A basic starter kit costs approximately $350 and includes a jacket, arm protector, body cords, chest protector, glove, mask, and weapon. Competitive fencers may later upgrade specific items.
FIE-spec equipment is only required for international-level competition.
We assist with sizing, ordering, and allow borrowing equipment until personal gear arrives.
Beginner fencers do not need to purchase equipment immediately. Coaches will let you know:
- When a fencer is ready to buy personal gear
- What items are appropriate for their level
- Whether tournament-ready equipment is needed
We assist with sizing and allow borrowing of equipment until personal gear arrives.
Aliya Zaydullina
Weapon:
Epee
Classes:
Youth Épée, Teen & Adult Épée
About:
Coach Aliya has worked as a fencing coach since she finished her competitive career. Aliya is a Master of Sport in Epee, a former member of Uzbekistan’s national epee team, and studied at Olympic Reserve School in Tashkent.
She possesses a Master’s degree with specialization as a fencing coach from the National University of Uzbekistan. She is a multiple champion and medalist of the National Championships in Uzbekistan, the medalist of Asia Championships, and other international competitions. She works especially well with youth and brings a cheerful and engaging atmosphere to all she mentors. She leads our youth development program and is available for private lessons.
Favorite Food: Everything! Especially Traditional Uzbek Foods
James Bui
Role:
Head Épée Coach
Classes:
Open Fencing | Youth Épée | Teen & Adult Épée
About:
A current tri-weapon coach and DIV 1 Epee fencer, coach James will be your go-to guy for any questions you might have. In the past ten years he’s trained in 6 different countries with all levels of fencers in all age groups.
Constantly adapting and staying up to date with the modern sport, he is a dependable resource to supplement your fencing journey. His students hold medals at every level of competition including local, regional, and national.
James’s coaching approach is tailored to suit each individual’s unique strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. Through personalized drills, tactical exercises, and one-on-one instruction, James works closely with fencers to develop their technique, footwork, timing, and strategy, helping them become formidable opponents on the piste.
His effective communication and innovative approach to training and fencer development has baffled many opponents (and students), and produced remarkable results. Empathy and compassion are the hallmarks of his coaching style, emphasizing the growth of the fencer both on and off the strip. He is the current acting head coach and general manager at LVFA and is available for private lessons.
Favorite Food: Costco $1.50 Hot Dog Combo
Jimmy Diederichs
Weapon:
Epee
Classes:
Youth Epee | Advanced Epee | Epee Footwork & Conditioning
About:
Professionally coaching since 2019, Coach Jimmy has been instrumental in the development of some of our most decorated advanced fencers, with his students earning accolades at local, regional, and national levels.
His unique perspective as both a coach and competitor allows him to stay at the cutting edge of modern fencing techniques and strategies.
Known for his personalized coaching approach, Jimmy tailors each session to fit the individual needs of his students, focusing on building strong fundamentals, advanced tactics, and mental fortitude. His training style emphasizes adaptability, critical analysis, and disciplined execution, preparing fencers to excel under any circumstances.
Jimmy’s enthusiasm and dedication extend beyond the strip, fostering a positive and supportive environment that encourages both personal and athletic growth. Whether you’re looking to refine your technique or prepare for high-stakes competitions, Coach Jimmy is committed to helping you achieve your fencing goals. He currently leads our competitive program and is available for private lessons.
Favorite Food: Anything shared with teammates after a good bout!
Phenix Urcioli
Role(s):
Head Saber Coach, Assistant Epee Coach
Classes:
Introduction to Fencing, Youth Saber, Teen & Adult Saber
About:
Phenix is a dynamic and dedicated force at Las Vegas Fencing Academy, driven by a lifelong commitment to technical mastery. While he remains active in the Epee circuit, Phenix has leveraged his multi-weapon expertise to become a highly versatile Saber specialist.
By integrating tactical nuances from Epee into the fast-paced world of Saber, he offers his students a unique competitive edge rarely found in traditional coaching.
With a strong focus on and complete understanding of the fundamentals, there’s a reason that Phenix was chosen to be the head coach of the saber program at Las Vegas Fencing Academy. From his ability to connect with and communicate with students across all ages, to his ability to not only understand fencing concepts but also teach them, he stands firm as one of the key bridges between the high-level understanding that every coach brings to the table, with any level of student.
Costa Nichols
Role:
Volunteer Assistant Saber Coach
Classes:
Teen & Adult Saber
About:
Costa began fencing in 1958 at the University of California, Berkeley where he studied for four years under Hungarian fencing masters Piller and Alper. He returned to the sport in his 40’s and joined Letterman along with his younger brother, who had also fenced for Cal Berkeley.
At that time he began fencing epee in addition to his original weapon, saber. In the past he has distinguished himself by winning the Perpetual Trophies for Men’s Saber in the San Bernardino League from 2000-2005 and taking first place in Veteran Open Men’s Saber at the West Coast Championships in the early 2000s. Nationally, he has won both gold and bronze medals in Vet 70 Men’s Saber. In 2021 he began competing in the Vet 80 events in both epee and saber, medaling in both. While he has not been able to compete regularly at the national level, he has enjoyed coaching young fencers in all three weapons, saying it is “my way of giving back to the sport that has given me so much joy– and maybe a little bit of heartache.”
The Veterans Committee presented the Veteran 80 Fencer of the Year award to Costa Nichols in recognition of his outstanding record during the 2022-23 season. He won two gold medals in Vet 80 Mens Saber and also had a 7th place podium finish in Vet 70 Mens Sabet, He further distinguished himself in Vet 80 Mens epee, winning both silver and bronze medals.
Alexander Jones
Roles:
Head Footwork Coach, Saber Coach
Classes:
Footwork and Conditioning, Teen & Adult Saber
About:
Alex Jones is currently an air force officer, serving the country most days of the week. On his days off, he spends his time teaching kids, teens, and adults alike to fence, drawing on what he learned throughout his journey earning his B in Saber, and using his military discipline to teach kids skills beyond fencing.
Alex was very competitive as early as 10 years old, going to fencing tournaments and taking names. After a bit of time in the competitive world of fencing, however, Alex found his love of the sport to taper as the fencing became less important and the politics of the sport began affecting his enjoyment. After taking a break from the sport, he has now returned to it happier than ever, ready to ensure that fencers enjoy the journey to becoming stronger competitors without losing out on the passion that brings them in in the first place.
Kirsten Hawkes
Roles:
Volunteer Assistant Saber Coach
Classes:
N/A
About:
Kirsten Hawkes is a former nationally ranked Junior Women’s Saber fencer who began her fencing career in New York at age 11. She earned multiple titles, including County Champion, Long Island Champion, and Northeast Regional Champion.
Recruited to Brandeis University on a full scholarship, she competed at the collegiate level before returning to New York to coach her former high school team and referee professionally.
After a hiatus from the sport, Kirsten resumed coaching in San Diego in 2022. Since then, she has participated in USA Fencing’s Mentorship Program for Women Coaches and has guided fencers of all ages to regional and national success. As a coach, she is dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of fencing in her students.
Vladimir Niemann
Roles:
Volunteer Competitive Saber Coach
Classes:
Footwork and Conditioning, Teen & Adult Saber
About:
With over 40 years of international experience as both an elite athlete and professional coach, Vladimir is an accomplished Saber fencing trainer whose career spans the highest levels of the sport.
A former national-level competitor in the Soviet Union, he holds a coaching certification dating back to 1978 and has coached youth, collegiate, and professional athletes across the USSR, Ukraine, and Israel.
His results speak for themselves. Vladimir provided early training to Sergei Mendergassov, who went on to become a World Champion in Saber fencing, and has developed multiple Israeli national champions, including Oleg Goldin, David Goldin, and Viktor Samovsky. Whether working with a first-time beginner or a competitive athlete, he brings the same dedication to technical excellence and a lifelong passion for the sport.