Master of Arms/Maître
d'Armes
Dr. Zachary
Kotlyar
- Master of Arms - Foil,
Epée, Sabre
Dr. Zachary Kotlyar
is a winner of numerous International Fencing Tournaments and a
former Soviet National Champion.
Master Kotlyar held the positions of the State
Coach of
Fencing of Sport Committee for the City of Kiev, Vice-Principal Spartakus Olympic Reserve Fencing School in Kiev, coach of Dynamo
Kiev Fencing Club, Bercalieri Fencing Club (Rome), and the York
University Fencing Club. Under his supervision these clubs made
significant contribution to the World and Olympic Fencing: Olympic
Champion Vladimir Smirnov, World Champions Serguei Kravchuck, and
Alexandre Bykov.
Master Kotlyar has a PhD in pedagogical sciences and sports
psychology from Kiev State University and Institute of Physical
Education and Sports. One of only TWO Master of Arms (Foil,
Epée, Sabre)
in the TORONTO AREA,
Master Kotlyar offers over 40 years of fencing experience, coaching,
knowledge and wisdom.
Master Kotlyar is also a teacher of senior mathematics
and Canadian Math League instructor at
Vaughan Secondary School.
Coaches and
Instructors
Stanley Yee -
Foil, Epée, Sabre
Stanley
is a protégé of Master Kotlyar, studying under him since 1990. Stanley
has become an accomplished foil fencer during the 1990s winning several
regional and provincial individual and team medals. He
has NCCP designation and a former head coach for the York University
varsity team and club. Stanley brings over 15 years of coaching,
martial arts, and fencing experience. Stanley has an
Honours
degree in political science (York) and a post diploma Certificate in
marketing management (Seneca). Stanley is a former educational
publishing executive (Nelson Education
and
Pearson Canada). Stanley is the president/principle
and founder of the Dragon Fencing
Academy and the current varsity fencing coach for St. Andrews
College.
Valerie Ossipova (née Yurieva)
-
Foil, Epée
Studying under
Master Ramil Aupov and Master Galina Ivanova at the Dynamo and
Thunderbird fencing clubs in the Republic of Bashkiria, Russia. Valerie
became the women's foil champion of Bashkiria in 1992, 1993 and won the
Cup of Bashkiria in
1992. In 1994 she became a Champion of Russia in the team event.
Valerie is the 2003 Ontario Provincial Women's Foil
Champion in the individual and
team event. Valerie is a Russian Master of Sport
in foil, has NCCP designation and brings over 20 years of fencing
experience. Valerie has a Masters degree in education and also
oversees the fencing
program at York University.
Doug Tong - Kenjutsu
(classical Japanese swordsmanship)
Sensei Tong started practicing kenjutsu in 1990 in Japan. He trained
exclusively some of the most renowned styles of classical
Japanese swordsmanship under legendary master swordsmen. He
studied Katori Shinto Ryu under
Master Yoshio Sugino in
Kawasaki-shi, Ono-ha Itto Ryu under Master Takemi Sasamori in
Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu under Master Masao Mutou in
Zushi-shi, and Muso Shinden Eishin Ryu (iaido) and ZNKR kendo under
Master Takehiko Izawa in Fujisawa-shi. Doug has over 15 years of
sword arts and teaching experience and brings a unique perspective
and knowledge of Japanese sword fighting. He is the founder
of Tokumeikan and
promotes Sugino-style
Katori Shinto Ryu in Canada. Doug has a Master's degree in education
and is an elementary teacher in the Peel District School Board.
Assistant Coaches
Filip Kotlyar - Foil
Filip started fencing
when he was 6 years old under the tutelage of his father Dr. Kotlyar. Filip has won several medals when he was a cadet and a junior. He
has returned to fencing after a brief respite to pursue the family
tradition and brings over 10 years of fencing experience.
Joachim Renassia - Foil
Joachim started
fencing when he was 6 years old. He trained at OGC Nice
Escrime under Master Louis Le Cabellec. Joachim was ranked #3 in
France at one time in foil. he has competed in many French national
level and several International world cups. Joachim brings over 15
years of fencing and 5 years of coaching experience. Joachim has a
Bachelors engineering degree in marketing and pharmacology.
Student Instructors
John Chui - Foil,
Epée
John started fencing
at York Univeristy in 2004 under Coach Yee and Coach Ossipova. John is
pursuing his coaching, referee qualifications and is learning the
intricate skills of being an armourer. John practices both
foil and épée. John assists with the youth and beginner classes and
is a science student at York University.
Nick Priore - Foil, Sabre
Nick started fencing
in 2006 at the Dragon Fencing Academy in foil and has expanded into
sabre. He assists
with teaching the youth and beginner classes. Nick is pursuing
his coaching and referee qualifications. Nick is a senior student at
St Theresa of Lisieux CHS.
Scott Schembri -
Foil, Epée, Sabre
Scott started fencing
in 2006 and is an original member of the Dragon Fencing
Academy. Scott is currently learning all three weapons Foil,
Epée, and Sabre and has won several gold medals in foil. Scott has started his coaching education by attaining
his community coaching certificate and receiving direct tutelage
from Master Kotlyar and Coach Yee. Scott is a liberal arts student at the
University of Toronto.
Josh Xu -
Foil, Epée, Sabre
Josh started fencing
in 2006. Josh is currently practices all three weapons Foil, Epée,
and Sabre. Josh has his community coaching certificate and assists
with teaching the youth and beginner classes. Josh is
also pursuing his refereeing qualifications. Josh is a certified
lifeguard and a senior student at Unionville HS.
Honourary Coaches and Instructors
Dr.
David Donovan - Foil
Dr.
David Donovan started his fencing career at the University of New
Brunswick and continued under Master Kotlyar in the 1990s at York,
where Dave completed his PhD in physics. Dave is an atmospheric
research scientist at
The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute in the
Netherlands, Dave has over 15 years of fencing and coaching
experience, NCCP designation. He continues to fence and represent
Canada in the Netherlands. On occasion Dave is a guest coach
whenever he is in the Toronto area for his scientific research
duties.
Dr. Julio Martinez-Trujillo - Foil, Epée
Dr. Julio Martinez-Trujillo began fencing in the1980s in his native
Cuba and in the 1990s at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen,
Germany. In 2001, Julio came to the Toronto for his
post doctoral studies at York University. Julio is a MD and PhD and has over 15 years
of fencing experience and is an
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, McGill University and
a Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience.
Dr. Alexandre
Sévigny - Sabre
Dr. Alexandre
(Sacha) Sevigny started fencing in 1990 with Master Kotlyar and expanded his studies
with Master
Jennay (Racing Club de France - Paris), Master Vladimir Solomon, Master Ken Wood
and Master Ranil Sonnadara.
Sacha is a former York University varsity head coach and has NCCP designation.
Sacha brings over 15 years of fencing and coaching experience from several different schools of
fencing. Sacha has a PhD in computational linguistics and is an
associate professor of cognitive science at McMaster University.
Christopher
Sévigny - Sabre
Christopher
started fencing when he was15 with Master Kotlyar and continued with Master Vladimir Solomon, Fred Granek and
his brother, Dr.Alexandre Sévigny. Chris is the Ontario Junior
Provincial Men's Sabre Champion in 2000. Chris brings 10 years of sabre fencing
experience. Chris is a Ph.D. student in
cognitive science at
McMaster University
Vyacheslav
Golubyev - Epée
Vyacheslav
started fencing at age 13 with the "Galleon" Fencing Club in Lviv, Ukraine under Master Mas'ko and Master
Orlikovsky. In 1998, Slava continued his studies in Canada under the tutelage
of Master Kotlyar, Alexandre Sévigny and Stanley Yee. In 2000, Slava
became the Ontario Junior
Provincial Men's
Epée Champion. Slava brings 10 years of Epée fencing
experience. Slava has Honours degree in economics from York
University.
