Our Coaches

Saber Nation is led by coaches who have competed and coached at the highest level of the sport. Between them they have taken athletes to three Olympic Games, placed fencers in NCAA programs including Princeton, Yale and Penn, and hold coaching certifications from the USFCA and the Academie d'Armes Internationale. Every class and private lesson at the Bethesda salle is taught by one of them.

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.