Meet the Team
Mike Martin
Owner
My love of fencing began over 30 years ago as a boy growing up in Forest Hills, NY. I began fencing as a freshman in high school and competed Nationally finishing top 10 but never taking top prizes. I studied at Salle Santelli. It was there that I received my formal education and was imprinted with the legacy of 500 years of classical fencing knowledge. I also fenced at the NY Fencing Club. During that time I was honored to watch Peter Westbrook train for the 1984 Summer Olympics; he went on to win the bronze. Peter was a role model for "work ethic." I recall the one and only time he spoke to me. He asked me, "How are your grades in school?" I said "fine," but it wasn't true. In reality, I struggled terribly in school. At the time, I didn’t realize that I’d been given a gift and a responsibility to help keep this ancient art alive and thriving.
I've been blessed with the opportunity to give back and I've chosen to do it right by building a state-of-the-art facility, hiring talented coaches, and executing a long-term strategic plan with student succession.
From an early age, fencing provided me the opportunity to hone many skills beyond the blade. These skills continue to serve me daily in my personal and professional life. As was done for me, I'd like to use fencing as a vehicle to draw out the best of what each student has to offer, not only in sport but equally, in character.
Certified CT BOE State Coach
Coach Ridgefield High School Fencing Club
Coach Ridgefield Academy
Former Coach New Canaan Country Day School Fencing Program
Former Coach Harvey School Camp Fencing Cavaliers
Alberto Constantino
Coach Foil
• Harvard University Assistant Coach
• Specialist in youth development to senior Div. 1.
• Excellent with kids and communicating with parents in understanding the process and complexities of the sport.
Connor Kravit
Coach Epee
• "A" rated collegiate fencer
• World Cup, Div. 1, epee fencer
• Excellent with kids and adults
Ibrahima Ndiaye
Coach Sabre & Epee
Head Coach West Point Military academy. Lead Coach at France Camp
Coumba Ndofféne
Guest Elite Coach Foil (We host two clinics at WAY and one clinic in France per year)
Qualifications
2008: Equivalence certificate from BEES 1 option fencing awarded by
the Ministry of Sports Health and Youth of the Republic
French
2008: Certificate of competence citizen of civil security
Level 1 civic prevention and rescue
2001: Master's degree in weapons at the EIMA (International School of
training of Africa's fencing masters)
2001: Entrepreneurship certificate
2004: First aid certificate
1998: L1 Series Tray
1995: Graduation certificate
March 2019 to the present day: Master of Arms at the Volvic Club
2018 - 2019: Technical Framework for the Polynesian Fencing Federation
2012: Frame of foil at national stage horizon of the best minims
the three gingham weapons in France
2007 - 2018: Masters of Arms at the Stade Clermont-Ferrand fencing in France
2004 - 2007: National coach at foil men and women at
Senegal
2004 - 2007: Professor of foil at the EIMA
masters of arms) from Africa to Dakar Senegal
2002 - 2007: Master of arms at the fencing club Demba Diop of Dakar
Senegal
2006: International referee category B foil and saber
2006: In May expert of the stage of development of the sports structure
(fencing) in Niger
2003: Workshop on collective lesson in Chatenay Malabry France
2001 - 2002: Repair and maintenance course for fencing equipment at
France blades company in Monistrol sur Loire France
2000 - 2004: Shooter at the national team of Senegal in saber then at the
foil
Participation in two world championships
Participation in four world cups
Participation in five African championships