Coaches
Tarek Ayad, Head Coach
A member of the Egyptian National Team since 1998 and a two-time Olympian in London 2012 and Rio 2016, Coach Tarek has over 25 years of experience as a fencer and has coached numerous students at all levels since he moved to Los Angeles in 2016. Besides being an Olympic athlete, Tarek’s credentials include being the bronze medalist (team) in Havana World Cup in 2012, Cadet, Junior, and Senior National Champion from 2002 to 2016, Cadet and Junior World Cup finalist, African Champion with seventeen medals, bronze medalist of the Mediterranean championship, and top 18 Senior world rank. He is also a certified international referee for all three fencing weapons.
Educated as a production engineer, Tarek brings his passion for fencing and commitment to excellence to Elite Fencing Club. He has successfully prepared many students for national and international competitions. Among his students are North American Cup, Junior Olympics, and Cadet World Cup champions.
Federico Canchez, Foil Coach
A professional fencer with over 20 years of fencing experience, Coach Fico has trained and competed for the Peruvian national fencing team, where he represented the team internationally at all competitions in the Olympic circuit, including World Cups, Zone Championships, and Satellite Championships. He has competed in six World Fencing Championships since 2012, Pan American Games and Qualifying Championship for the 2012 and 2021 Olympic Games.
Besides being a fencing champion, Coach Fico is well qualified as a coach. He completed the International Fencing Coaches Course at Ruben Limardo Foundation in Poland in 2017. He is also a national referee of Peru, having completed the International Fencing Arbitration Course in Lima. In addition to being a fencer, Coach Fico has a law degree from the UPC Peruvian University of Applied Sciences.
At Elite Fencing Club, Coach Fico is committed to working with club athletes and to training the next generation of fencing champions.
Patrizia Piovesan, Foil and Epee Coach
Coach Patrizia began fencing at 7 and has been a competitive fencer since she was 13. She joined the Venezuelan national team from youth to adult categories, and has competed in all international fencing events including zonal championships, world championships, satellite tournaments, and world cups.
In her over twenty year sports career, Coach Patrizia has achieved best results at the international level. She received silver and bronze medals in the XVIII Pan American Game 2019, silver medal in the Central American and Caribbean Games 2018, gold medal in the South American Games 2018, and double individual and team gold medals in the Pan American Championship U20 in 2014 and 2012.
In addition to being a fencer, Coach Patrizia received a degree in business administration at Universidad del Istmo Panama in 2021. She also completed “Introduction to Sport and Paralympic Movement” and “Introduction to Tourism, Marketing and Innovation” courses at Peruvian Sports Institute, National Directorate of Training and Sports Technique (PER).
Zeravik Ruido, Foil and Epee Coach
Zeravik Ruido is part of the coaching staff at Elite Fencing Club in Los Angeles and brings over a decade of experience in fencing, both as an athlete and as a coach. As a competitor, he has participated in national and international tournaments, earning medals and strong results at regional championships, national circuits, and international events. This background allows him to share with his students an authentic perspective on what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.
At the club, Zeravik supports fencers of all levels—from beginners discovering fencing for the first time to athletes competing at North American Cups (NACs), Junior Olympics, and Junior Pan American Championships. His role focuses on providing technical support, consistent preparation, and close guidance that helps each athlete build confidence, discipline, and resilience.
Beyond results on the strip, Zeravik sees fencing as a tool for personal growth. His coaching approach combines technical knowledge, motivation, and commitment, always with the conviction that true success comes when hard work is combined with self-belief.
Ahmed Hendawy, Foil Coach
Ahmed Hendawy has been practicing fencing for over 16 years and has proudly represented the Egyptian national team for the past 11 years. Over the course of his career, he has won multiple gold medals at the Egyptian National Championships, as well as titles at the Arab Championship and the African Zonal Championship. He has also competed in numerous World Cup events, gaining valuable international experience. One of his proudest achievements came when he finished in the Top 16 at the World Championships, a result of years of dedication, discipline, and love for the sport.
