Fencing: Josh Zhang

Among a group of many talented fencers, sophomore Josh Zhang stands out as a member of the Hackley Fencing team due to his aptitude as an épéeist. He was drawn to fencing by a friend and now practices at the New York Athletic Club and the Fencing Academy of Westchester in order to prepare for the regional and national meets he competes in both with Hackley and independently.

Last season he credits his successes, including his second place finish in the League Championship, to a strong work ethic and strong bond amongst members of Hackley’s fencing team. As a captain of the epee team this year, he hopes to emulate these qualities for newer members and encourage them to “stick with the sport.” He believes that in doing so the fencing team may be able to “have each squad place in the top three for each weapon type [epee, foil, and sabre].” Outside of school, Josh hopes to compete in international fencing competitions as well.

Josh attributes his numerous victories on the strip to his coaches and former captains of Hackley’s team. He names their passion for the sport as one of his main motivations. Of his private coach, Vladimir Goffman, the former USSR fencing champion, Josh says, “He pours his heart and soul into everything he does in fencing. To have the amount of passion that he has for fencing would be the greatest accomplishment for me.”

Despite this, Josh’s love for fencing and confidence as a competitor in the sport did not take off until “[he] achieved [his] first good national result. It was during the US National Championships in Dallas and I placed 19th out of over two-hundred fencers in my age group.”

Given his fierce dedication, Josh is hopeful for a promising season both as an individual and for the Hackley fencing team. As he looks to the future of Hackley’s fencing program he has high hopes in the involvement of new athletes in the sport and adds “I would highly encourage kids who aren’t playing a sport in the winter to at least try out fencing. It’s a great a fast-growing sport that includes things that every young child dreams of: hitting your friends with sticks and not getting in trouble for it.”

With Josh as a captain, Hackley can look forward to an exciting season for the épée team.