Coaches

NIH Fencing Club Coaches

Vitali Pokalenko specializes in foil. He comes from an outstanding club in Kiev, Ukraine. Russian foil technique and fencers have had outstanding success internationally. [Full Resume].

Larry Pinkus is an experienced competitor and coach. He is a nationally ranked sabre fencer and was the 2005 World Champion in Veteran's 50-60 Men's Sabre. In 1999, Larry won third place in sabre at the World Veteran's Fencing Championships. [Full Resume]

Vitali Pokalenko

EDUCATION

• 1980-1984 - Department of Sports and Fitness, Kiev State University, majoring in physical education. Diploma with honors.

• 1988-1989 - post-graduate studies in fencing at the Department of Sports and Fitness, Kiev State University. Submitted thesis on "Emphasis on individual qualities of candidates in the Process of Training for High-Level Competitions in Fencing" and was awarded "High Category Coach-Instructor"

ACHIEVEMENTS IN SPORTS

• 1976-1982 - participated in junior and adult foil championships for the Ukraine and the USSR.

• 1979 - awarded "Master-Candidate" qualification in fencing.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• 2005 - Appointed head coach of the National Institutes of Health Fencing Club.

• 1996-2002 - Central Sport Club of Ukrainian Armed Forces, coach-instructor in foil fencing, Highest category

• 1989-1996 - Sport School for Children and Youth, Kiev, foil-fencing coach

• 1988-1989 - Department of Sports and Fitness, Kiev State University, Senior Assistant in Fencing and Modern Pentathlon

• 1986-1988 - Sport School for Children and Youth, Kiev, foil-fencing coach

COACHING ACHIEVEMENTS

• 1986-2002 - four of his students have achieved the rank of "Masters in Fencing"

• 1985-2002 - numerous students won junior and adult Ukrainian national championships in foil

• 1998-2002 - some of his students took part in the junior European and World Foil Championships.

Larry Pinkus

• New York Fencers Club, New York (1970-73; 77-83), Coached by US Olympic Coach, Csaba Elthes

• President/Coach Richmond (VA) Fencers Club (1983-1990), Coached by US Olympic Coach Wes Glon;

• Coach Richmond Boys Club (1983-1988);

• President/Coach NIH Fencing Club (1993-present)

COMPETITIVE RESULTS:

• National Competitor in Foil (1968-1970) and Sabre (1972-1995).

• Nationally-ranked in sabre (A) and 11th in national championship in 1987

• 3rd place US Sabre Team Championships, 1983 (University Club)

• Individual finalist and Gold medallist, Olympic Festival in sabre team, 1987

• Many times VA Division Champion

• Southeast Section Champion

• Chesapeake Challenge Champion

• Member USA Veterans World Team, 1999 and Individual Bronze medallist in sabre

• World Champion, 2005 in Veteran's 50-60 Men's Sabre.

VETERANS RESULTS

• Member USA Veterans Team ,1995

• 3rd in US Veterans Nationals, 1995-6

• 3rd US Veteran's Combined Nationals, 1999

• USA Veterans World Championship Team, 2004 & 2005

ADMINISTRATIVE:

• Chair, Capitol Division USFA, 2001-2002

• Member Executive Committee, Capitol Division USFA, 1999-present

• Former Vice Chair VA Division USFA

• Chair and Secretary, Southeast Section USFA

• Member USFA Strategic Planning Commission

• Organizing Committee World Cup Sabre (VA) 1991-92