Thrust Fencing Academy

Although my kids don’t belong to this club, we frequently attend tournaments sponsored by Thrust Fencing Academy. Thrust regional tournaments at Rockland Community College are very well organized. I am impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of the owner, Mika’il Sankofa.

It’s an amazing program with a strong role model Coach. Kids get a well-​rounded training that is physical, mental, emotional. The group of kids is supportive and team-​oriented though it is an individual sport. The exercise they get is unparalleled and I believe my son’s grades and academic experience are better because of his participation at Thrust. Highly recommend !

My daughter has been fencing for three years now. In Winter 2013 she switched to Thrust Fencing Academy, training under Coach Mika’il Sankofa, and it’s been a great experience for her. The level of her fencing has improved dramatically, as has her confidence and self-​assurance. In addition to the quality of the instruction, Coach emphasizes good sportsmanship and camaraderie among the players. Fencing may be an individual sport, but the lessons of being part of a team are still integral. The time commitment is great and can be difficult with a heavy academic load, but learning time management skills also is a life skill. There is a diverse group of kids in the academy and having a warm, supportive group of friends, outside of school, has added to my daughters life immensely. Thrust is small enough that each fencer gets personal attention from Coach Sankofa and big enough that even the best fencer is challenged by others in the group.

When Thrust Fencing Academy comes to my mind, so to do the superlatives: excellence, skill, sportsmanship, camaraderie, etc. Students here not only learn to fence from a stellar coach whose accolades are to many to list, but are instilled with values that carry through into their everyday lives. This unique combination of attributes ensures the best possible experience for anybody who goes to Thrust.
Whether you are looking to be a recreational fencer, or a competitive one, this is the place to come. Many of Coach Sankofa’s students have gone on to make world teams, win national championships, and win NCAA championships. These results speak for themselves.
All are made to feel welcome at Thrust and I urge anyone interested to come and learn this great and centuries old sport from one of the best coaches around, in an environment that cannot be surpassed.