Good News: CFA Fall 2025 Newsletter

Dear fencing friends and Families!

Happy to report that according to our legal team, we are still on track with the arrival of our high level international Epee Coach Giovanni Repetto in early December 2025. The current US Government shutdown is not affecting his special VISA application. Coach Giovanni will be an amazing asset to our students and families:

Assistant Coach to Kazakhstan: Working with the men's epee team Giovanni helped Kazakhstan to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time in the country's history.

Dedicated travel coach. Giovanni showed a lot of promise analyzing our bouts during the two camps he joined this summer. The strip coaching, observing opponents and moral support at tournaments is something we can look forward to as soon as he arrives.

Compatibility with CFA techniques and fencing philosophy. We don't just teach fencing actions. We teach a dynamic style in context of a single touch, a bout, a day of competition and the full season aligned with travel schedules. We also help kids become overall athletes and accommodate priorities outside of fencing such as school, work and family. Giovanni and the rest of the CFA coaches understand how important it is to be on the same page about everything, not just sport.

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Please welcome Assistant Coaches Konrad and Myles to the CFA Team! New classes are ramping up! Our Saturday program and additional weekday Core classes are starting to grow. We now have something for everyone on all weekdays and Saturdays.

At $90 per month, our Saturday class is now the most affordable way to try the sport in the DMV area. We recommend about three months of trying everything out then checking in with myself (Head Coach Ilya Lobanenkov) about what program would be the best fit for you.

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Halloween Party and Mask Decoration Contest! Join us this Thursday 6-8PM for an all ages, all levels practice wearing a Halloween costume! Guests welcome. Coaches will be the mask/costume judges and winner will receive a surprise prize.

We will run a giant game of Zombieland, do a little fun footwork, then fence a round of team event depending on who comes. Lessons are still on, we will improvise around the party.

You are welcome to use an old mask from our closet to decorate, just check with a coach if it's ok to borrow and or destroy for the sake of art. We'll allow fencing in your creation as long as it's safe. Glowsticks welcome.

Please click here if you would like to bring a snack or dish. Lets do our best to keep lethal sugar overloads to a minimum, but who's watching on Halloween?

See you at the gym and happy fencing!

CFA Head Coach Ilya Lobanenkov

CFA Administrative Manager Sofia Iva