Bluegrass Fencers' Club

Maestro Amgad Khazbak Coach Khazbak has a proven and prestigious record as both a fencer and as an internationally renowned coach.

He began his fencing journey in Egypt, where he went from fencing for the Egyptian national team to becoming its coach. Once moving stateside, he continued to find success on the strip and is known for training some of the finest fencers this country has to offer. Throughout his career he has helped his students achieve unprecedented success in National competitions, World Cups, and World Champion

ships. Most recently, he was hired by the USFA to coach the women’s American Olympic foil fencing team. Under his guidance, the US team had a wonderful showing in London. In recognition of his outstanding dedication to his students and his unrivaled skill as a coach, he was named USFA’s coach of the year for 2012. EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering – Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University: Cairo, Egypt. 1986.
• Diploma of Fencing Coaching (Foil) under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee: Cairo, Egypt. 2001.
• Diploma of Fencing Coaching (Foil) under the supervision of Alexander Romankov: Cairo, Egypt. 2001.
• Diploma of Fencing Coaching (Foil, Epee, Sabre) under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee – Hungarian University of Physical Education: Budapest, Hungary. 1992.
• Diploma of Fencing Coaching (Sabre) under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee: Budapest, Hungary. 1992.
• Diploma of Fencing Coaching (Foil, Epee, Sabre) under the supervision of the German Fencing Federation – Faculty of Sport, Leipzig University: Leipzig, Germany. 1991.
• Diploma of Fencing Coaching (Foil) under the supervision of the French Fencing Federation: Cairo, Egypt. 1990.
• Diploma of Fencing Coaching (Foil, Epee, Sabre) under the supervision of the French Fencing Federation – Sporting Education Center: Dinard, France. 1989.
• Diploma of Fencing Coaching (Foil) under the supervision of the French Fencing Federation: Cairo, Egypt. 1989. JOB EXPERIENCE

• Bluegrass Fencers’ Club: Lexington, KY USA (2004-Present)
Owner and Head Coach for senior, junior and cadet Foil, Epee & Sabre teams (men and women).
• US Fencing Association
Women’s Foil USA National Coach (Present). USA Women’s Foil Olympic Coach London 2012.
• Fencing Coach for Eastern Kentucky University.
• Egyptian Fencing Federation: Cairo, Egypt (1990-1994) & (2000-2003) - National Fencing Coach for senior, junior and cadet Foil teams (men and women).
• El-Gezera Club: Cairo, Egypt (1998-2003) - Fencing Head Coach and Technical Director for senior, junior and cadet Foil, Epee and Sabre teams (men and women).
• Egyptian Fencing Club: Cairo, Egypt (1994-1998) - Fencing Head Coach for senior, junior and cadet Foil teams (men and women).
• Egyptian Fencing Club: Cairo, Egypt (1986-1992) - Fencing Coach for senior, junior and cadet Foil teams (men and women). PERSONAL FENCING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• USA Women’s Foil Olympic Coach – London 2012.
• Coach of the year 2013 according to USFCA.
• Former Egyptian National Coach.
• USA Women’s Foil National Coach.
• Competitive fencer from 1973 to 1988.
• Member of the Senior Egyptian National Olympic Foil team from 1980 to 1988.
• Captain of the Senior Egyptian National Foil team from 1986 to 1988.
• Gold Medal in the Egyptian National Championship in the Men’s Foil 1983.
• Gold Medal in the Egyptian University National Championship in Men’s Foil, 1983.
• Silver Medal in at the Senior Egyptian National Championship in Men’s Foil, 1986.
• Represented Egypt in numerous international fencing competitions and World Cups in Europe and Africa from 1980 to 1988.
• Placed 47th at the World Championship in Men’s Foil in Budapest, Hungary, 1983. NOTABLE STUDENTS

• Lee Kiefer:
5th. Olympic Games- London 2012, Bronze Medal in Women’s Foil Senior World Championship- Italy 2011, Gold Medal in Women’s Foil Junior World Championship- Bulgaria 2014, Gold Medal in Women’s Foil Pan American Games 2010- 2011-2012, Gold Medal in Women’s Foil Cadet World Championship- Azerbaijan 2010, Silver Medal in Women’s Foil Cadet World Championship - Great Britain 2009 and Jordan 2011, Bronze Medal in Women’s Foil Cadet World Championship - Italy 2008, Silver Medal in Junior World Championships – Jordan 2011, Bronze Medal in Junior World Championships – Moscow 2012 and Croatia 2013, Winner in Women’s Foil NCAA Championship 2013 and 2014.

• Alexandra Kiefer:
Winner in Women’s Foil NCAA Championship 2011, placed 2nd in Women’s Foil Junior World Cup (France) 2008.
• Axel Kiefer:
Winner in USA Junior Championships 2014, 14th in Cadet World Championships - Croatia 2013, Gold Medal in Cadet Europe international tournament (Germany) 2011, Gold Medal in Cadet Championship Foil Reno 2011.
• Hazem Khazbak: placed 17th. In the World Championship – Moscow 2012, placed 47th in Junior World Championships - Croatia 2013, 7th in USA Summer National 2013.
• Marcia Pierce: 5th in Veteran’s World Championship 2013.
• Frank Thomiszer: placed 16th in men’s Foil veteran’s World Championship 2007, ranked 2nd on the USFA list for Men’s Foil veteran’s classification 2007.
• Philip Dority : Y10 National Champ in 2013 Summer National 2013.
• Shani Edwards : 7th in USA Senior National Championships 2014, 6th in Y14 Summer National 2013.
• James Young: placed 5th in men’s Foil Y12 Summer National Championship in 2007, placed 6th in men’s Foil Y14 North American Cup in 2009.
• Shimaa El-Gamal: ranked 1st in Egyptian Women’s Foil – senior classification , placed 1st in Arab and African Championships 2005, participated in Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, Athens Olympic Games in 2004, Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, and London Olympic Games 2012.
• Iman El-Gamal: ranked 2nd in Egyptian Women’s Foil – participated in the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, and London Olympic Games 2012 .
• Mostafa Nagaty: ranked 2nd in Egyptian Men’s Foil – senior classification , participated in Athens Olympic Games in 2004, placed 3rd in the World Cup - junior classification in Budapest, Hungary in 2003, participated in Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
• Tamer Tahoun: ranked 1st in Egyptian Men’s Foil – senior classification, ranked 16th on the International Fencing Federation (FIE) list 2005, participated in the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, placed 16th in Men’s Foil at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, placed 8th in the World Cup – senior classification in China, 2002, placed 1st in the Arab and African Championships.
• Mohamed Sameh: Bronze Medal the World Championships in Men’s Foil Cadet classification 1990, placed 3rd at the World Cup junior classification 1992.
• Salma Sweaf: ranked 1st in Egyptian Women’s Foil – junior classification, 2005, placed 1st in the Mediterranean Sea Championships 2005, participated in Beijing Olympic Games in 2008
• Egyptian Men’s Foil team placed 3rd in the World Cup – senior classification in Cairo, Egypt, 2002.

03/22/2025

Get ready for the 2025-2026 season with Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt this August! They will be hosting two 3-day intensive foil camps at Bluegrass Fencers' Club from Friday 8/15 - Sunday 8/17 and Friday 8/22 - Sunday 8/24.

Learn more and reserve one of the limited spots at www.km-fencing.com/events.

09/15/2024

Want a take a moment on World Fencing Day to thank some people and organizations who played a huge role during my Paris Olympic journey. I apologize if I forget to mention anyone!!

First and foremost, my love Gerek! No words needed.

Coach - we have been working towards Olympic dreams for 20 years together. It has been an honor. Stefani - we lived out so many highs and lows and worked on the details to be better together. Andrew and Allen - thanks for letting us torture you. Bluegrass Fencers’ Club - inspired by your hard work and wonderful attitudes all the freakin’ time. Cannot forget Christina who made the most absolute bomb Team Kiefer-Meinhardt shirts.

My men’s foil team - I love you all! Thanks for not holding back your profanity on my behalf.

Ralf, my WF Olympians, and the senior WF travel team - what a freakin’ three years of growth! Too much to say to get started.

My family (Kiefers and Meinhardts) of course - you all are the backbone of our fencing journeys and always bring joy and support in the smallest yet most important ways. In this statement includes all of the family members and friends who are so close that they are like family- many of whom were cheering us on in person at the Grand Palais.

Mason - I move better and am more thoughtful about my body than ever before.

Peggy - you made traveling much more fun plus you prevented my physical and mental decompensation many times haha. Thank to the other sports med practitioners at the USOPC (especially Kelcie), University of Florida, and the Steadman Clinic who gave me excellent and timely care! Extra big shout out to my Uncle Bill who always graciously lets us rope him into our hand and forearm injuries.

Karen - an absolutely wonderful human and sports psych who was a game changer immediately before competition and during the post-games blues.

USA Fencing staff - Jennifer, Kate, Bryan, and others, you all are absolutely wonderful and a joy to work with.

Kaila and the Smith&Saint Team - you all made it possible for us make a living off of fencing the past few years - a feat!!!

My long-term partners - I am so grateful

08/31/2024

The only country with FOUR No. 1s to end the 2023-24 FIE season!

Chase, Samuel, Lee and Leehi will be honored this November at the FIE Congress in Uzbekistan.

📸 Getty Images,

08/12/2024

Merci Paris!

Coach of gold medalist fencer Lee Kiefer details her road to victory

08/06/2024

"Three Olympic gold medals, that is great," Khazbak said.

Coach of gold medalist fencer Lee Kiefer details her road to victory Bluegrass Fencers Club continues to celebrate the unprecedented achievements of Lee Kiefer. The first fencer from the US with three Olympic gold medals.

U.S. fencers Kiefer and Scruggs take gold and silver in women's individual foil

08/05/2024

The pair made history, with Kiefer becoming the first American woman to earn two gold medals in individual foil. Scruggs became the first Black fencer to medal for the U.S. in an individual women's event.

U.S. fencers Kiefer and Scruggs take gold and silver in women's individual foil

08/05/2024

Lee Kiefer won back-to-back gold medals in foil fencing on Sunday. She said the team is “trying to get into good spirits” as it gears up for the team foil event that begins Thursday.

The Filipino American put her studies on hold at the UK College of Medicine to focus on fencing full-time.

She comes from a family of doctors and fencers, as her father is a neurosurgeon who served as captain of the Duke University fencing team during his time there. Her sister and brother also studied medicine and fenced at the collegiate level.

Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics on NBC and streaming on Peacock, July 26 - Aug 11.

08/05/2024

**المصري أمجد عبد الحليم يقود لاعبة أمريكية لتحقيق ميداليتين أولمبيتين.. إنجاز ملهم**

- من أسبوع تقريبا، فازت الأمريكية لي كيفر بالميدالية الذهبية في لعبة سلاح الشيش فردي سيدات بأولمبياد باريس 2024 للمرة الثانية على التوالي.

- الحقيقة قد يكون دا خبر عادي بالنسبة لأي مصري، اللاعبون الأولمبيون الأمريكيون بيحققوا عشرات الميداليات في كل نسخة من الأولمبياد، أمريكا هي أكثر بلد حقق ميداليات ذهبية في الأولمبياد في التاريخ.

- لكن المميز إنه مدرب المنتخب الأمريكي لسلاح الشيش اللي بتلعب فيه البطلة الأمريكية هو المصري أمجد عبد الحليم خزبك.

- خزبك قاد البطلة الأمريكية للفوز بالميداليات في المرتين وهو الشخص اللي انضمت لأكاديمية التدريب الخاصة بيه من وقت ما كان سنها 9 سنوات علشان يساهم في صناعة بطلة أمريكية، ودا شيء يدعو المصريين للفخر بمدرب قدير ومصري قادر على تحدي الظروف وصناعة المجد الرياضي.

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من القاهرة إلى كنتاكي

- أمجد عبد الحليم خزبك من مواليد القاهرة أكتوبر 1963، تخرج من كلية الهندسة سنة 1986 واشتغل مهندس مدني بجانب ممارسته لرياضة الشيش في نادي السلاح المصري.

- قبل نهاية مسيرته وأثناء ما كان لاعب كان المدرب لمنتخبنا الوطني لسلاح الشيش لكن بعد 4 سنوات تمت إقالته، علشان يتنقل كمدرب بين عدد من الأندية الخاصة، قبل ما يرجع ويتولى قيادة منتخبنا الوطني مرة تانية لمدة سنتين لكن أيضًا تمت إقالته.

- في 2003 وبعد إقالته للمرة الثانية، قرر السفر للولايات المتحدة واستقر في ولاية كنتاكي وأسس فيها أكاديمية "بلوجراس للمبارزين" لتعليم لعبة سلاح الشيش.

- الأكاديمية تحت إدارته دربت عشرات اللاعبين واللاعبات من جنسيات مختلفة، ونتيجة لدوره في تطوير أداء اللاعبين دول تولى قيادة المنتخب الأمريكي في 2011.

- في تصريحات تلفزيونية بعد الفوز قال المدرب المصري: "أنا فخور إن أنا مصري بيعمل الإنجازات دي في أمريكا لأنها من منحتني الخبرة علشان افتح مدرستي الخاصة واشتغل في التدريب، دايمًا بتابع تعليقات الجمهور المصري اللي بتديني الدفعة إني أكمل وأعمل نتائج كويسة باسم أمريكا وباسمي كمدرب مصري".

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- قصة ملهمة بطلها مواطن مصري عادي لم يلاقي التقدير الكافي لموهبته الكبيرة في بلده علشان يتجه إلى الولايات المتحدة ويبحث عن مجال مفتوح يقدر من خلاله يبدع ويحقق الإنجازات، والحقيقة دا مهم لنا كمصريين بشكل خاص علشان يؤكد على فكرة أن مصر مليئة بالمواهب والعقول اللي بحاجة فقط لفرصة وإمكانيات تساعدهم على الإنجاز، وعلشان كدا دايمًا مهتمين بإبراز القصص الناجحة دي.

- كل التحية والتقدير للمدرب المصري أمجد عبد الحليم خزبك، مليون مبروك بنقوله الجمهور المصري فخور بيك وبانتظار أن تحقق المزيد من الإنجازات، بنتمنى لك المزيد من التفوق والتقدم زي ما بنتمنى التوفيق لكل الرياضيين المصريين داخل وخارج بلدهم.