About Us

Coach James Roberts brings over 25 years of experience in fencing as both an athlete and coach. A three-time state champion at North Haven High School, Roberts went on to compete at the Division I level for Sacred Heart University, where he served as captain of the men’s team for three years. Under his leadership, the Pioneers captured back-to-back NFC Championships in 2010 and 2011.

Roberts is the founder of Fairfield Fencing Academy (FFA), where he has developed athletes to excel at the regional, national, and collegiate levels. In 2022, FFA fencers swept the podium with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes in Team Men’s Foil at the Connecticut state championships. His students consistently rank among the Top 8 in youth, cadet, and junior regional competitions, earning top regional points and national medals, including a 5th place finish in Division I Women’s Foil at the October 2022 NAC.

Many of Roberts’ athletes have gone on to compete at some of the top collegiate fencing programs in the country, including Yale University, Columbia University, Haverford College, Vassar College, Sacred Heart University, Stevens Tech, Boston College, and Penn State University.

As Co-Owner and Director of Operations at Elite International Fencers Club (EIFC), Roberts brings his deep passion for fencing and proven track record of developing champions to create a world-class training environment. His vision is to build a pathway for fencers of all levels, from beginner athletes to elite international competitors, supported by a high-performance coaching team and state-of-the-art facilities.

Maestro Sandro Berto brings more than 30 years of international fencing with coaching experience and exceptional depth of expertise in both Foil and Épée to Elite International Fencers Club. A graduate of the Academy of Fencing in Naples and a Master of Olympic Fencing in all three weapons, Sandro spent 16 years as Head Fencing Coach at Circolo della Spada Vicenza in Italy, where he directed training, taught individual lessons, and coached athletes at national and international competitions.

Throughout his career, Sandro has developed fencers from their first introduction to the sport through elite-level competition. His athletes have earned numerous regional and national titles, with students progressing to the Italian National Team and international competition. Italian National Team fencer Davide Filippi credits Sandro as an “important influence and constant point of reference” throughout his competitive development.

Sandro is equally experienced in Épée, having coached dedicated Épée programs and individual athletes while developing competitors technically, tactically and psychologically.

Known for his individualized coaching style, Sandro combines technical precision, tactical development, competitive preparation and mental strength to bring out the best in each athlete. At EIFC, he leads our Foil and Épée programs, developing the next generation of competitive fencers.

Coach Mikyung Lim brings more than 30 years of elite fencing experience as an international competitor and coach. A longtime member of the Korean National Team, Mikyung competed at the highest levels of international women’s foil and represented Korea at the World Championships throughout her competitive career.

She was a four-time Asian Games medalist, winning individual silver and team gold at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, and repeating that achievement with individual silver and team gold at the 2002 Busan Asian Games. Her international career placed her among Korea’s leading foil fencers of her generation.

Following her competitive career, Mikyung transitioned into coaching, working with the Korean Women’s National Fencing Team before bringing her experience to the United States. She later spent three years coaching in Los Angeles, where her students achieved success at national and international competitions.

Today, Coach Mikyung brings that combination of world-class competitive experience and technical expertise to Elite International Fencers Club. Her coaching emphasizes strong fundamentals, precision, discipline, tactical awareness and competitive confidence, helping young fencers develop the skills and mindset necessary to progress from developing athletes to high-level competitors.

Coach Brandon Kim brings the perspective of a recent NCAA Division I athlete and accomplished competitive foil fencer to Elite International Fencers Club. A former member of the UC San Diego Men’s Fencing Team, Brandon helped the Tritons capture the first MPSF Team Championship in program history. He earned First Team All-MPSF honors after finishing second in Men’s Foil at the 2025 MPSF Championship and was named Second Team All-Region after placing fourth at the NCAA West Regional Championship.

Brandon also competed internationally for Team USA, representing the United States at the Junior U20 World Cup in Bangkok, where he placed 27th in a field of 119 international competitors. Nationally, he recorded impressive finishes including 8th in Junior Men’s Foil at the 2022 Summer Nationals, followed by 9th in Junior and 10th in Division I at the 2023 Summer Nationals.

At EIFC, Brandon works closely with developing and competitive foil fencers through private lessons, bouting and group instruction. His recent experience in high-level collegiate, national and international competition gives young athletes a relatable perspective on modern competitive fencing, with an emphasis on strong fundamentals, tactical awareness, disciplined training and confident execution on the strip.

Raiyan brings an impressive combination of NCAA Division I fencing experience, competitive expertise, and an academic background in psychology to help our athletes develop both their fencing skills and mental performance.
A former Division I athlete at The Ohio State University, Raiyan served as Captain of the Ohio State Fencing Team during the 2025–2026 season. Her collegiate accomplishments include:
🏅 2026 Second Team All-CCFC honors
🤺 Three-time NCAA Regional Qualifier
🎓 Ohio State Scholar-Athlete (2024 & 2026)
⭐ 14 years of fencing experience, including 12 competitive years
Raiyan’s connection to ELITE runs deep. Before attending Ohio State, she trained at EIFC for three years and volunteered as a junior coach. We’re especially proud to welcome one of our own back to help inspire the next generation of fencers.
🧠 Developing Mental Strength on the Strip
Beyond her fencing accomplishments, Raiyan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a background in sport psychology and a passion for helping athletes reach their full potential.
Her coaching approach emphasizes confidence, mindfulness, resilience, focus, emotional regulation, and performing under competitive pressure.
Competitive fencing requires more than physical preparation. Learning to stay composed after a difficult touch, recover from setbacks, manage tournament anxiety, and maintain concentration can make a tremendous difference in an athlete’s development.