The National Champion Columbia Fencing program added 30-year coaching veteran Gidon Retzkin as an assistant coach Columbia Head Coach Michael Aufrichtig announced on December 6, 2019.
“As the top fencing program in the country, we are always looking for ways to give the greatest opportunities to our fencers in order to be the best they can be,” Aufrichtig said. “Coach Retzkin has a lot of experience in bringing out the best in the fencers he has taught. The addition of Gidon brings more depth to our amazing coaching staff.”
With over 30 years of fencing experience as both a professional fencer and a coach, Retzkin moved to the United States in 2005. He is the owner and founder of East Coast Fencing Club, a fencing club located in Roslyn, New York. Prior to his club’s opening, Retzkin worked as a coach at 5T Fencers Club for 10 years (2010-19) and North Shore Fencers Club for five years (2005-10). As a club coach for the past 15 years, his students have won numerous competitions in national and international tournaments, and have represented the United States in Cadet and Junior World Fencing Championships. Retzkin has also served as a designated USA team coach in a variety of international competitions.
For nearly a decade, Retzkin was a member of the Israeli National Fencing Team. During his time with the team, he was a 10-time Israeli national champion, three-time Cadet national champion, two-time Junior National Champion, No. 1 ranked cadet and junior fencer, and finalist in the junior team world championships. His Olympic dreams and career as a fencer was cut short due to an injury.
Born in the United States and raised in Israel, Retzkin earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Queens College. He also attended the prestigious Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sports and holds a coaching degree from the organization. He plans on pursuing a Master’s degree in sports psychology.
Retzkin began fencing when he was nine years old as part of an after-school program and was offered a fencing scholarship, but couldn’t accept the offer due to compulsory military service in the Israeli Defense Forces.
