Our Coaches
Hyo kun LEE
Coach Hyo-Kun Lee holds the esteemed position of Head Coach at Globus Fencing Academy. Graduating from Korean National Sports University, he distinguished himself as a top athlete on the university's fencing team, earning a bachelor's degree in Sports Education in 1990.
Selected to the Korean National Fencing Team at a mere 18 years old, Coach Lee made history as the youngest Korean fencer to join the national team. His illustrious tenure with the team from 1984 to 1996 included remarkable achievements such as multiple Asian Games appearances and Olympic participation, garnering silver medals in the Asian Games in 1990, 1991, and 1994, and gold medals in the Asian Olympic qualifiers in 1988 and 1996. He competed in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Transitioning to coaching, Coach Lee established pioneering fencing programs in Busan, South Korea, and led Dongeuidae University's highly regarded fencing team from 2000 to 2018. His initiatives introduced saber fencing to Busan, previously nonexistent in the city's sporting landscape.
With roles as the National Women's Saber Coach and subsequently as the National Men’s Saber Team Coach from 2014 to 2017, Coach Lee has shaped elite athletes, notably coaching one to an Olympic Bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Committed to nurturing excellence and instilling an unwavering work ethic in our fencers, Coach Lee embodies a steadfast dedication to their holistic development.
Paul Corteyn
Coach Paul's exceptional career began in 1981, marked by a string of achievements including 28 National Belgian Saber Championship titles and a prestigious World Champion title in Maitre D’Armes (ARAB) from 2006 to 2010. His professional career extended internationally, securing a formidable standing within the top 32 in the FIE world ranking and clinching 3rd place at the Junior World Cup. Throughout his tenure, he showcased his talents at numerous world cups, European cups, and world championships.
Recognized for his expertise and leadership, Coach Paul assumed the role of Technical Director of the Flanders Fencing Federation from 2017 to 2018, further solidifying his impact on the sport. Transitioning seamlessly into coaching, he was appointed as the Belgian National Saber Coach in 2007, a position he continues to hold with distinction. His coaching tenure includes significant contributions to the Belgian fencing contingent at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Coach Paul's journey epitomizes unwavering dedication and a relentless pursuit of excellence, serving as both a beacon of inspiration for aspiring fencers and a guiding force in the development of the sport.
Jaeku Kim
Coach Jay has achieved preeminent professional fencing achievements, including multiple medals from numerous championships, including the National and Presidential, Asia Open cup over the years.
Following his successful career as a fencer, he began his coaching career to cultivate his style of fencing. Recently, he not only served as a dedicated coach for Jamaica in 2024, but also dedicated the 2019-2020 and 2022-2023 Team Canada National & Team Jersey (part of the British Islands) National fencer coach.
The Antean fencing club in Vancouver, Canada was under his leadership for more than seven years and he also served as their head coach. Based on his history of fencing in Korea and North America, Coach Jay is expected to be a part of our team imparting various abilities to our Globus fencers.
Bernard Witek
Coach Bernard brings over a decade of fencing prowess to the table, having honed his skills at the University of North Carolina, a distinguished Division 1 fencing institution. Graduating in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and Global Studies, he epitomizes the fusion of athletic prowess with academic acumen.
From grassroots tournaments to prestigious national cups, Coach Bernard has navigated every level of competition with finesse. His accolades include clinching Division 2 and 3 championships, alongside securing a coveted national ranking in Division 1. However, beyond mere victories, Bernard recognizes the symbiotic relationship between individual excellence and collective team success.
In the realm of training methodologies, mental fortitude, work ethic cultivation, and college admissions strategies, Coach Bernard is a veritable sage. His multifaceted expertise renders him an invaluable resource for aspiring fencers striving for excellence at the highest echelons of the sport.
Rubin Hong
Coach Rubin is a valued member of our coaching team, renowned for his expertise in imparting a solid foundation, refined technique, and the distinctive physical attributes associated with Korean-style fencing.
Serving as both our Team Captain in the elite class and a competitive athlete in Division 1 with a national ranking, Rubin brings a wealth of reliability and leadership to our academy. His deep understanding of Korean fencing techniques and unwavering motivation inspire our fencers to excel.
Rubin’s coaching style emphasizes discipline and a strong work ethic, ensuring that each athlete receives unparalleled training tailored to their needs.
Hareem ahmad
Coach Hareem has been a nationally and internationally ranked fencer, having competed for both the USA and Pakistan.
She was introduced to saber fencing as a student athlete at MIT, where she studied Management and Finance. After college, she juggled a career on Wall Street with fencing competitively. She has trained under a number of well-known coaches, including Jarek Koniusz, Oleg Stetsiv, and Ed Korfanty.
Coach Hareem’s philosophy is that fencing represents life. The lessons learned on the strip help students navigate challenges outside the club, so her focus is on instilling a positive attitude and a strong work ethic and teaching her students to set high goals and to fight to achieve them. She brings a decade of experience working with children to the club (along with a few kids of her own) and is dedicated to supporting each and every athlete on their journey to success.