International Fencer Council

The International Fencer Council hosted its first international contingent in June 2009 at Prince William Fencing Academy (PWFA), bringing in two elite world-class level fencers from Estonia, Erika Kirpu (ranked 10th in international world epee fencing) and Julia Zuikova. Joining the Estonian fencers were some of the US Fencing community's top elite fencers for a week of training culminating in the Amazon Tournament. IFC was able to join with DCFC to conduct further elite level training in the DC area and to bring the Estonians and members of the Italian fencing team to the Tune-Up competion in June 2009, readying DC and Northern-Virginia fencers for US nationals. The results of this first-ever IFC exchange speak for themselves: 3 of the IFC's US participants took gold at US Nationals and one won gold in the Pan-American Games held during the same week. Three of the IFC training participants reached the #1 ranking in the US in their respective age group categories.

During the summer of 2009 IFC traveled with several exchange fencers for two weeks in Germany, joining members of the German national junior team. These US participants returned to win gold, silver, and bronze medals in the USFA Virginia Division Kickoff tournament. We look forward to facilitating many exchanges across the globe.