Around the World with KM Fencing Ep. 4

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals

AuthorAuthor

Gerek Meinhardt & Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt
December 23, 2025

‘Tis the season,

The year 2025 is coming to a close, and we wanted to share some of our milestones. Please read the following to the “12 Days of Christmas” melody:

In the first month, January 2025, KM Fencing held their first virtual mentoring sessions.

In February, Instagram and Facebook social channels went live.

In March, KM Fencing hosted it first official clinic in collaboration with Queen City Fencing in Cincinnati, OH.

In April, KM Fencing completed its sixth clinic, spanning 4 clubs around the US.

In May, KM Fencing’s virtual mentoring team expanded to include epee and saber. Full team: Ari, Gergely, Kaylin, Mariel, Gerek, and Lee.

In June, Lee and Gerek started their Milwaukee Summer Nationals adventure where they hit up the Hall of Fame ceremony for Lee’s coach’s induction, dropped some merch, met many cuties at a signing, and trained with the national team.

In July, KM Fencing locked in on World Championships in Tbilisi with Lee becoming World Champion, Gerek bringing home silver with his team, Gergely winning the silver in individual, and Kaylin finishing the season strong with her highest world ranking yet.

In August, KM Fencing’s Asia clinic tour began in Bangkok, stopped in Macau, and finished in Manila.

In September, KM Fencing sent out its first batch of acceptance letters to Summer 2026 Italy Camp applicants.

In October, Lee delivered her first keynote for the AAU in Miami.

In November, KM Fencing had a blast at their largest session to date at the M Team in San Francisco with 48 fencers aged 8 to 12.

In December, KM Fencing conducted business as usual (virtual mentoring sessions, clinics, competitions, newsletter drop, etc.).

12 months of KM Fencing and a partridge in a pear tree

Upcoming Foil Clinics & Camps

Are you intrigued to join us at any of the following?

Forte Village Elite Foil Camp

For those who are still contemplating a getaway to Italy by joining us at our camp next summer, we wanted to provide a few enticing updates:

  • Lessons will be available from legendary Valentina Vezzali. Arguably the best fencer in history, she has 6 Olympic gold medals and 16 World Championship titles.

  • We published a tentative camp schedule in our previous news blast and can re-share it if you send us an email.

  • Forte Village wanted us to let you know that August is a busy time of year with rooms booking up fast. If you are interested, please start to make moves! Step one would include filling out this short application.

Our spring calendar is still in its nascent stage. It is a strategy game when taking our own training and competitions into account. You can check out our events page to see where we have been and where we are going. If hosting us is something that excites you, please message us by clicking the button below.

Virtual Mentoring

We have loved working with fencers with a wide range of ages and experience levels through our virtual mentoring program. For those new to our business, sessions are 30-minutes and take on multiple formats depending on fencer preference: 

  • Video analysis (fencer uploads a video which the mentor reviews before the session, and then during the session, mentor provides advice on topics including technique, strategy, and mindset as well as suggestions for what to work on at future practices and tournaments) 

  • High-level bout analysis (mentor selects an international bout to review together and identify takeaways and best practices to apply to fencer’s game) 

  • Question & answer 

If you are not a foil fencer, fret not. You have the opportunity to work with our amazing mentors from other weapons:

Life Lately for Lee and Gerek

KM Fencing Year In Review

Clinics Recap

Since we spoke last, we have bopped to Minnesota, North Carolina, and California for clinics.

Clinic with the M Team in San Francisco

If you have attended one of our clinics this year and have thoughts to share, please fill out this feedback survey.

Upcoming Competitions

Stay up to date by following our personal or USA Fencing’s Instagram accounts:

  • January 9 - 11: World Cups in Paris, France (men’s foil) and Hong Kong (women’s foil)

  • February 5 - 8: Grand Prix in Turin, Italy (women’s and men’s foil) 

  • February 12 - 15: NAC in Cincinnati, Ohio

When we think of this year, we think gratitude.

Happy holidays,

L + G

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