SABER NATION — Saber Fencing Club · Bethesda, MD
4701 Sangamore Road, Bethesda MD · Mon–Fri 4:00pm–9:00pm · Sat–Sun 8:00am–4:00pm
One Nation. One Blade.
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WE ARE SABER NATION
Saber Nation is a fencing club founded in 2026 by Olympic coach Fikrat Valiyev — the DMV's dedicated saber fencing program, built by parents and driven by champions. We exist to make elite-level saber training accessible to athletes of all ages and skill levels across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Founded as a community-driven club, Saber Nation is supported by the families who believe in it. We share a single commitment — developing every fencer who walks through our doors. From first lesson to international competition, we provide a clear pathway for fencers to grow, compete, and succeed.
One Nation. One Blade.
Founded in 2026
Established by Olympic-level coach Fikrat Valiyev as the DMV's dedicated saber fencing program.
Built by Parents, Driven by Champions
A community-driven club supported by the families who believe in it.
Elite & Accessible
World-class saber training made accessible for athletes of all ages and abilities across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
World-Class Head Coach
A world-class head coach paired with a leadership team united by a single commitment: developing every fencer who walks through our doors.
From First Lesson to International Competition
Saber Nation is where fencers grow, compete, and succeed.
WORLD-CLASS COACHING
Fikrat Valiyev
Owner & Head Coach
Coach Fikrat has 29 years of coaching experience, including serving as Head Coach of the Azerbaijan National Team and, most recently, as Head Coach of the Nazlymov Fencing Foundation. His students have competed in the Summer Olympics in London (2012), Rio (2016), and Paris (2024).
Over the course of his career, Fikrat's students have won medals at the Fencing World Championships, Junior World Championships, Veteran World Championships, Fencing Grand Prix Sabre events, Junior European Championships, Panamerican Championships, and U.S. National Championships. He has also successfully placed athletes in NCAA fencing programs, including Princeton (2), Yale (2), the University of Pennsylvania (2), Duke, Brandeis, Tufts, Wagner College and others.
Fikrat served as a leading referee at the Summer Olympics (2016, 2021, and 2024) and as a coach (2012). He draws on his experience at the highest level of international competition to continually bring those insights and techniques into training.
His coaching approach emphasizes refining technique by building strong muscle memory through repetition, precision, and disciplined practice, enabling athletes to perform instinctively and confidently under competitive pressure.
David Ling
Saber Coach
David Ling is a Maitre d'Armes (three weapons) certified by the United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) and the Académie d'Armes Internationale (AAI). Throughout his career, he has coached athletes at the regional, national, collegiate, and international levels, helping prepare fencers for NCAA Championships, Junior World Teams, National Championships, and Veteran World Championships.
David served for seven years as an assistant coach for the Penn State University NCAA Varsity Fencing Team, where he coached student-athletes in all three weapons and helped prepare competitors for NCAA Regional and National Championship events. He has completed extensive coach education, including a two-year full-time coaching apprenticeship focused on advanced training methods, was selected for the inaugural USA Fencing Coaches College, and has continued his professional development through numerous elite coaching seminars in the United States and abroad.
Passionate about athlete development and lifelong learning, David brings a wealth of technical knowledge and decades of coaching experience to Saber Nation. He is committed to helping fencers of all ages build strong fundamentals, refine their skills, and achieve their personal and competitive goals in a positive, supportive environment.
Sharon Ni
Saber Coach
Sharon Ni is a saber coach and former NCAA student-athlete with more than a decade of competitive fencing experience at the regional, national, and collegiate levels. A four-year member of the New York University Women's Fencing Team, Sharon served as team captain during her junior and senior seasons and finished her collegiate career tied for fifth in program history for career saber victories. She has competed at North American Cups, Junior Olympic Championships, Summer Nationals, and Regional Open Circuit events, earning multiple podium finishes, including a gold medal at the 2021 Arsenal Spring Challenge ROC.
Sharon is passionate about helping athletes develop strong technical fundamentals while fostering confidence, discipline, and a love for the sport. Drawing on her experience as both a competitive athlete and coach, she creates a positive, athlete-centered training environment that supports long-term development and encourages every fencer to reach their full potential.
CHOOSE YOUR PATH
Beginners Introductory Package*
New students only · Youth, Teens, or Adults · Ages 6–70+
$120 one-time · 8 sessions
*One-time only — this package can be purchased and used once per student.
Development Program
Beginner · Intermediate · Recreational
$195/mo 1×/week · $325/mo 2×/week
Technique, footwork, and structured bouting for members.
Monthly Unlimited
Tournament preparation & level advancement
$425/mo
Unlimited group classes for competitive fencers.
Adults (18+) & College Varsity
Adults 18+ and college varsity team fencers
$195/mo unlimited
Adult group training, beginners through varsity athletes.
Group lesson schedule
- Mon & Wed 4:45–6:15 PM — Bethesda salle
- Sat 8:00–10:00 AM — Bethesda salle
Group lessons meet Monday and Wednesday, 4:45 PM to 6:15 PM, and Saturday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, at the Bethesda salle, 4701 Sangamore Road, Suite LL2.
Drop-in group class $45 · Open fencing $25 (complimentary for members).
*The Beginners Introductory Package is for new students only and can be purchased and used one time only.
Pricing from TeamUp; memberships required for member rates. Join or book on TeamUp.
More detail on saber fencing classes in Bethesda, plus beginner classes, youth classes, adult classes, and fencing camps.
FENCING & COLLEGE PLACEMENT
Fencing offers a unique pathway to college placement by combining athletic achievement with academic rigor. As an NCAA-recognized sport, it provides student-athletes with opportunities to be recruited by top universities, including Ivy League and other highly selective institutions.
Recruiting Edge
As an NCAA-recognized sport with a smaller, specialized talent pool, fencing increases visibility for dedicated athletes — opening doors to Ivy League and other highly selective universities.
Academic Alignment
Fencing develops focus, strategic thinking, decision-making under pressure, and time management — qualities admissions committees value and that correlate with stronger academic performance.
Discipline & Development
Coaches evaluate more than results. Discipline, consistency, and long-term growth — qualities fencing inherently cultivates — weigh heavily in the recruiting process.
Resilience & Opportunity
Year-round competition builds goal-setting and resilience. Even where athletic scholarships are limited, recruited-athlete status can significantly strengthen a student's overall application.
WHERE SABER TAKES YOU
NCAA programs across the country recruit competitive saber fencers. These are the schools where the sport opens doors.
- Harvard
- Yale
- Princeton
- Columbia
- Penn
- Notre Dame
- Stanford
- Duke
- Northwestern
- Ohio State
- Penn State
- St. John's
- NYU
- Vassar
- Cornell
- Brown
- MIT
- Boston College
- UNC
- Air Force
Schools shown sponsor varsity fencing programs that recruit saber athletes. Saber Nation is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of these institutions.
FROM THE STRIP
Reels, clips, and moments from @sabernation_fencing.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Everything you need to know about joining Saber Nation.
What age groups do you offer programs for?
Programs are open to ages 6 through 70+. New fencers start with the Beginners Introductory Package, then continue in the Development Program, Monthly Unlimited, or the Adults (18+) and College Varsity group.
Do I need any prior fencing experience?
No experience is necessary! Our beginner programs are designed to teach fundamentals from the ground up. All skill levels are welcome.
What equipment do I need to get started?
We provide all necessary equipment for beginners including masks, jackets, gloves, and weapons. As fencers progress, we recommend investing in personal gear, which is available through our merchandise store.
How often are classes held?
Group lessons meet Monday and Wednesday, 4:45 PM to 6:15 PM, and Saturday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, at the Bethesda salle, 4701 Sangamore Road, Suite LL2. Members can train 1×/week, 2×/week, or unlimited.
Is fencing safe for children?
Absolutely. Fencing is one of the safest sports with proper instruction and equipment. All our coaches are certified and prioritize safety in every session. Protective gear is mandatory during all training.
Do you offer competitive training?
Yes! We have dedicated competitive programs for fencers looking to compete at local, regional, and national levels. Our coaches have experience preparing athletes for USA Fencing tournaments.
What is the membership structure?
Memberships are monthly: Development Program $195/month (1×/week) or $325/month (2×/week), Monthly Unlimited $425/month, and Adults (18+) and College Varsity $195/month. New students can use the Beginners Introductory Package once: 8 sessions for $120. Drop-in group class $45; open fencing $25 (complimentary for members).
Where are you located?
We're located at 4701 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, MD 20816. Join our interest list to receive updates on our facility and opening date.