Founder & Head Coach
Boris Khurgin, Maître d'Armes
A Legacy in Competitive Fencing
Boris Khurgin began his fencing journey in 1971 in Kharkiv, Ukraine, under the guidance of esteemed coaches Oleksii Ivanov, Boris Gontar, and Leonid Averbach. As a young competitor, he quickly rose through the ranks, earning medals at the Cadet and Junior Ukrainian Championships and earning selection for the Ukrainian and USSR National "Stormbringer" Teams — a program equivalent to NCAA-level competition in the United States.
Transition to Coaching
Boris's coaching career began in 1981 at the Olympic Reserve Fencing School in Kharkiv. At just 24 years old, he was appointed Sabre Head Coach at one of Ukraine's most prestigious fencing institutions, leading his teams to multiple national championship victories. He simultaneously served as fencing coach at Kharkiv State Polytechnic University, his alma mater.
Building Excellence in the United States
After immigrating to the USA in 1996, Boris joined the Polish-American Fencing Academy, then the renowned NY Fencers Club and Manhattan Fencing Center. In 2007, he co-founded Island Fencing Academy in Long Island, developing fencers including Sarah and Peter Pak — national team members and world medalists.
That same year, Boris was appointed USA National Junior and Cadet Sabre Team Coach by the U.S. Fencing Association. His work shaped the next generation of top American fencers, including Olympians Dagmara Wozniak and Monica Aksamit, and Aleks Ochocki — 2× NCAA Champion and current Head Coach of the USA Men's Sabre Team.
Founding CSFA
With a vision to bring world-class fencing instruction to the Charlotte Metro Area, Boris founded CSFA. His coaching philosophy — built on technical mastery, strategic understanding, and mental resilience — ensures every fencer reaches their highest potential.
"Under Boris's leadership, CSFA has developed a generation of youth fencers who demonstrate exceptional competitive performance — including athletes with top national ratings and fencers who have earned medals at international competitions, establishing the academy as one of the premier fencing institutions in North Carolina."
