Our team
At Battle Born Fencing Club, we are proud to have one of the most accomplished and dedicated coaching staffs in the country. Our coaches include Olympians, world champions, national medalists, and internationally certified masters who bring decades of experience to the strip. From developing beginner fencers to guiding national champions and college recruits, each coach is committed to excellence, mentorship, and helping every student reach their full potential—both in fencing and in life. All BBFC coaches are officially sanctioned by the USA Fencing Association, ensuring the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and expertise.
coach
Sangyup Lee
A three-time South Korea Olympian (1992- 2004), World Cup champion, and medalist at numerous Pan-Asian Games, Coach Lee inspires all with his dedication to the sport and his students. As the former Head coach at the Busan (S. Korea) fencing academy, Coach Lee personally trained 3 Olympians and served as the national coach at the World Championships.
In 2013, Coach Lee joined the coaching staff at the Fencing Academy of Nevada (FAN), and in 2019, became owner of BBFC. He earned his first USA Gold medal at the 2018 Veteran Team Championships, as a member of the BBFC team.
coach
Walter dragonetti
Ranked the #1 fencer in his age category for most of the last decade, Coach Walter leads and inspires by example. Trained by world-renowned Maestro Lajos Csiszar, accolades achieved in his 45+ years of fencing are astounding. To date, he is a 10-time Veteran National Champion, 2-time Veteran World Champion, Division 1 Men’s Epee Bronze medalist (North American Cup 2007), Veteran World Team member since 2006 (Gold in 2018), member of the 5-time Fencing Academy of Nevada/BBFC Veteran North American Cup and National Champion teams, and he was named the 2017 Veteran Fencer of the Year.
coach
marian tonchev
A 4-time Bulgarian National Champion, highly decorated member of the Bulgarian Junior National team, and the #1 ranked Junior fencer in Bulgaria for 4 consecutive years, Coach Marian has been training fencers of all age groups at BBFC for the past two decades. He is a USA Fencing Coaches’ Association certified Maître de Épée and Maître de Fleuret, which is the highest recognition bestowed on a coach. Coach Marian’s disciplined teaching style translates into precision of form and technique.
coach
sorah shin
Coach Sorah Shin has been in the fencing world for over 20 years and has worked with students of all ages who have won many medals, locally, nationally, and internationally. Coach Sorah's students are consistently ranked in the top 10 and she regularly travels coach students at all levels of competition and has designated for USA Fencing for the international Cadet teams.
coach
brent wilson
Coach Brent has been fencing with Battle Born Fencing Club for 14 years. Under the tutelage of Yves Auriol, Ed Richards, Walter Dragonetti, Marian Tonchev, and Sangyup Lee, he has grown from student to aspiring fencing master and wishes to give back to the next generation of fencers. Brent started coaching after moving to Pasadena at Swords Fencing Club in 2019 but has since returned to his family here at BBFC. He graduated from the College of Southern Nevada and is an A-rated fencer.
armorer
benny montoya
Not only does our armorer, "Mr. Benny" as he is affectionately called, keep the club's weapons and scoring equipment in top condition, he also helps to maintain our overall facility. Always ready to help, Benny has been with BBFC for over a decade. Every fencer can go to Benny to get their weapons fixed and tuned up before tournaments.