On Sept. 17, Michael DeCou won the E and under Tournament at MSU to earn his D05.

Team GRAFA wishes to congratulate its members who competed in the 2005 Summer Nationals in Sacramento, California over July 4th. Team member Joseph Williams (17y.o.) earned an 8 th place medal in Men’s DIVll Foil becoming the first ever, male fencer from West Michigan to medal at the USFA Nationals. GO JOE! Dayana Sarkisova (14y.o.) brought home the silver medal in Women’s Cadet while teammate Rada Sarkisova (15y.o.) placed 11th in the same event. Dayana went on to win another silver medal in the Y14 Women’s foil ensuring her 1 st place standing nationally in Y14! Team members Rui Takagi, and Michael DeCou advanced to direct elimination in their respective events and won their first bouts. All of our team members have worked hard during the 2005 season, and we congratulate them in their fine performances at Nationals. Way to go Team!!! We look forward to another winning season in 2006.

Coach Mikhail honored as “2004 Developmental Coach for Fencing"

The United States Fencing Association has selected Coach Mikhail Sarkisov as “2004 Developmental Coach of the Year for Fencing”.

As the recipient of this honor, the USFA also nominated Coach Sarkisov for the U.S. Olympic Committee's “Developmental Coach of the Year”. An awards banquet was held in California honoring the coaches from the various sports, but because Coach Mikhail was unable to attend, the USOC arranged to have the award presented locally. Mr. Derek Cotton, the USFA treasurer, surprised Coach Sarkisov with the presentation of an engraved plaque at the Great Lakes Sectional Championships held here in Grand Rapids in May of 2005.

2005 GLS a Great Success

In April, GRAFA together with Michigan Amateur Fencing Association hosted the Great Lakes Sectional Championship at Cornerstone University. This event, attended by over 130 fencers from a four state area, received media coverage from several local outlets including Fox17, the Grand Rapids Press and a wonderful half hour piece on WGVU. It was such a great success that the USFA representative in attendance told the organizing committee that he would gladly assist us if we ever chose to run a National tournament! The event could not have been the success that it was without the dedication, hard work and gift of time of our parents and MAFA board. Thank you to all.

Student Rada Sarkisova brought home the silver medal in Women’s Foil Y14 at the North American Cup in Chattanooga, TN in April. Way to go Rada!

Student Madeline Mackinder won a Silver medal in Women’s Foil at RFC Open. Great show Maddie!

Zach Williams was voted Team Captain of the Varsity Fencing Team at Queen’s University, for 2005/2006, overseeing the training of the entire squad. The Queen’s squad has teams in all three weapons in both Men’s and Women’s . Zach is in his third year at university in Kingston, Ontario.

Joseph Williams won the Gold Medal at the London Heroes Invitational Fencing Tournament held in London Ontario in February. This was a high level event sanctioned by the Canadian Fencing Federation. Congrats Joseph!