About Us
"It's not the will to win that matters—everyone has that.
It's the will to prepare to win that matters."
Long Island Fencing Center is located in the heart of Long Island at 203 Voice Road, Carle Place, NY. We’re just 15 minutes from Queens and 30 minutes from NYC, with easy access to major highways and LIRR trains.​ We’re surrounded by great shopping, dining, and lodging options — including Roosevelt Field Mall, Target, Macy’s, Costco, and major hotel chains. Everything is within a short walk or drive.​Our brand new 7,000 sq. ft. facility features 14 full-sized fencing strips and the LIFC Pro Shop. We welcome fencers of all ages and levels, and offer specialized training for high school athletes.
Our Staff
Yeisser Ramirez
Joseph Brajdic
Mika’il (Obi) Sankofa
Lincoln Wang
Epee Head Coach
Sabre Coach
A native of Cuba, Yeisser Ramirez is a US Olympian who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. As a fencer, he won the Bronze medal at the 2016 Stockholm Satellite Tournament; finished 12 in the 2015 Pan America Championships; won the championship of the 2013 November North American Cup; and finished in the top 3 in 2013 and 2012 Division 1 Men's Epee National Championships. Yeisser, a member of the Peter Westbrook Foundation, started coaching in 2008 and has worked with athletes at all levels.
Joseph Brajdic has been active in the sport of fencing since the age of 14. A native of Long Island, New York, he has been a member of the Republic of Croatia fencing team since he was 15 and has competed in the Cadet, Junior, and Senior World Championships and European Championships. Joseph is currently still competing as a fencer with aspirations and dreams of qualifying for the LA 2028 Olympic Games. As a coach, he has served as an assistant coach at NY Fencers Club. In addition to coaching at Long Island Fencing Center (LIFC), Coach Brajdic also trains the Garden City High School Boys Varsity Fencing Team.
Epee Head Coach
Guest Coach
Mika'il Sankofa is a three-time US Olympian represented the United States at the 1984 L.A, the 1988 Seoul, and the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. As a graduate of NYU, he became the first fencer to win four consecutive NCAA Individual Championships (‘84, ‘85, ‘86, ‘87). He was also the US National Sabre Champion in 1991-1992; and inductee of NYU Hall of Fame and US Fencing Hall of Fame. NBC also invited Obi to be the fencing analyst for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Obi is currently the head coach and owner of Thrust Fencing Academy in Mount Kisco, NY which uses the sport of fencing to enhance the lives of youth academically, socially and athletically.
With 20 years of fencing and 15 years of coaching experience, Coach Lincoln has captured numerous titles at the China National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship, won a silver medal in the provincial tournament, and is recognized as a certified national class athlete in Saber. With a background in psychology and social work, Coach Lincoln identifies methods to maintain students' interest and creates tailored progress plans. Beyond his coaching, Coach Lincoln is a respected figure in the fencing community, serving as an invited Saber commentator for Science Fencing specials and as a USA Fencing certified referee.
Our world-class coaching staff brings together over 75 years of combined fencing and coaching experience, with a proven track record at both national and international levels.​ We are proud to have two Olympians on staff, with a total of four Olympic appearances and multiple international medals across World Cups, Pan American Championships, and National events. Our coaches have trained athletes from beginners to elite competitors, including national champions and aspiring Olympians.
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Beyond their competitive achievements, our coaches are passionate educators — many with backgrounds in psychology, social work, and youth development — and are committed to helping every student grow with confidence, discipline, and skill.​​