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December 2023 by Philip Yoo
The owner and head coach, Mika'il Sankofa, is not only an excellent coach, but also a top tier mentor. While I did not feel motivated in athletics and academics, Mika'il was able to change my life through fencing.He helped me become focused as an athlete and as a student, and still checks in on me to this day, almost a decade after I stopped competing. His care for his students and his passion for fencing are unparalleled.Now I work in education, and model my teaching style after Mika'il's approach to coaching. He is excellent with kids, and can take your child as far as they want to in the world of fencing.I highly recommend Thrust Fencing Academy and all that Coach Sankofa offers.
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August 2023 by Hudson Santana
3x Olympian Mika'il Sankofa is of course one of the best coaches ever to grace the arena, this is inherit given his record of athletic acheivments.Coach Mika'il was crutial in my development as a young man serving as a mentor role model and elite coach. He spent all the extra hours in and out of the gym to make us (his students) well rounded young people and high performing athletes. For me he was intrigal in my attending one of the largest Division 1 Univeristies on a full athletic scholarship and eventually onto a career on Wall Street.Thrust Fencing is one of the most elite fencing clubs in the country but what you get from Coach Mika'il is far more than world class athletic training you get someone dedicated to you as a whole who will ensure your success in anything you pursue.
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August 2023 by Cheryl Baun
My son was not interested in sports (or any organized activity, for that matter) until he started at Thrust Fencing Academy. Not only did he find a sport that he loved, he also found a sense of belonging, and he learned how to set and achieve goals. He also gained a great deal of confidence. Coach Mikha’il is not only an incredible coach for fencing but also made a real impact on my son and our whole family during the years we were at Thrust. We will be forever grateful to Coach for all that he has done for us! 100% would recommend Thrust for anyone interested in fencing, even if you think your kid is not an athlete. Because they will learn more than just a sport; they will learn valuable lessons for life!
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August 2023 by Shawn Wilson
Coach Maka’il is an excellent coach. I have seen him bring the most out of my son at a national tournament. He was able to get him in the moment and produce his best.
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August 2023 by Andrew Garcia
I attended Thrust fencing through my middle school and early high school years. I came in as an unathletic kid lacking discipline and drive. Not only did fencing serve as an amazing outlet, but also as a way to make amazing memories that I still cherish to this day. Coach Mika'il taught me so many lessons about life that have shaped me into the man that I am today. I cannot thank him enough for this. I personally have seen what he has done to help impact his community as well and it was absolutely amazing the time and effort he was willing to give. Coach Mika’il is an amazing man, not to mention a 3 time Olympian and I don’t know where I would have ended up without Thrust fencing. I would highly recommend Thrust fencing for any child.
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August 2023 by Sterling Grube
Fencing and traveling the country/world are only a few of the amazing experiences I've had with Coach Mika'il. He not only introduced me to the world that is fencing but he acted as a mentor and leader in ways that have impacted my life far beyond fencing. I was able to compete at the highest level nationally, travel to Germany for a world cup and was given an opportunity to fence at NYU on scholarship as a result of Mika'ils guidance, motivation and training. Thrust Fencing Academy is one of the finest fencing clubs around and have no doubt that you will truly be in the best hands when you work with Coach Mika'il !
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August 2023 by Victor Anthony
Mika'il is an excellent coach. He takes time to understand the capabilities of each student and maps out a plan to help them reach and surpass their fencing goals. He has a thorough understanding of what it takes to develop as a fencer and eventually win at tournaments. Fencers have grown tremendously under his leadership. I highly recommend him as a coach.
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August 2023 by Marissa Darling
Coach Mika'il is a great motivator for kids. He’s able to teach them the fundamentals of fencing in a fun way and get them interested in the sport. He’s able to give your child individual attention so that they can progress quickly in the sport.
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August 2023 by Bryan Moise
Coach Mika'il is more than a coach but a mentor and a leader both on and off the fencing strip. He personally assisted me in attending one of the best schools in the country while training me to compete at the collegiate level for 4 years.Thrust Fencing is one of the finest fencing clubs around with best-in-class, hands-on training and development for all ages.
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August 2023 by Shahidah
Mika’il Sankofa’s exceptional personability and remarkable rapport with my son have been truly remarkable. The strides my 8-year-old has taken, both in terms of physical prowess and mental acumen, are nothing short of astounding. Coach Mika'il's unwavering dedication to nurturing outstanding character traits, alongside his achievements as an athlete, is simply unparalleled. Our community is incredibly fortunate to have the privilege of a three-time Olympian Fencer like Mika’il establishing a school right here in Mount Kisco. Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly urge you to embrace this extraordinary chance.
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August 2023 by Sonya Burnham
Coach is not only skilled, but he has a genuine care and concern for the development of the students.
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August 2023 by Leisa Robinson
Coach Mika'il is personable, kind, and a great motivator for kids. He finds the proper approach to engage and motivates my daughter to want to do more of her best in practice.
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June 2020 by Jill C.
We joined Thrust Fencing Academy almost 2 years ago now. My daughter was 12 at the time. We immediately were drawn to the kindness Coach (Sankofa) showed her from day 1. He was kind but he also showed her he expected her to put in the work. We have watched her flourish under Coach's guidance, not only as a fencer, but also as a young teen. Coach inspires the kids to be their best. He expects their best and he gives them his best. He is 100% committed to the kids' success on the strip and off. I can't say enough good things about the influence of the sport of fencing (saber is the best!) and the guidance and support from Coach. And the best part is that my daughter has really come very far! She was an absolute beginner, never having picked up a saber before. But Coach gave her the support she needed and she has been to many competitions since then and qualified for National Championships both last year and this year.
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March 2020 by jaya george
We were at the thrust RYC/RJCC tournament on Feb 8 & 9, 2020. There were a lot of events going on, and we were very impressed that the whole events were on time and ran very smoothly. Even our event, “cadet men’s saber” was scheduled as the last one at 4.00 pm, still, it started right on time. There were a lot of referees and the location was big enough to host this many people. Kudos to the organizers of the event.
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September 2019 by Michael Martin
Outstanding coaching by a 3x Olympian. Nuff said.
