OUR STORY
To discover who we are, what we do, and the reasons that drive us, we’d like to share the origin story of GRAFA — a narrative traversing continents and generations.
Our story begins in a country that no longer exists: the Soviet Union.
Brothers Mikhail and Arkadiy Sarkisov were born in Baku, in the Azerbaijan state of the USSR. Their Russian mother was a biology professor at the Soviet Sciences Academy conducting bone marrow research, and their Armenian father was the lead engineer building oil rig platforms in the Caspian Sea.
Inspired by Dumas’ “The Three Musketeers,” the Sarkisov brothers started fencing very young. Yet fencing was already more than a childhood sport for them — it was a cherished family tradition. Their mother and grandfather were both fencers in college, who along with their uncle (the brothers’ first coach) instilled a deep love for the ancient sport.
Though they were the youngest in their fencing groups, Mikhail and Arkadiy quickly became leaders through hard work and passionate training. Their efforts earned both brothers spots in an advanced training program for talented young fencers on the national level. (Yes, the same former USSR youth sports programs still (in)famous today for its spotting and recruiting talented child athletes very early in childhood.)
The brothers became state and national champions, members of the USSR’s National Team, and medalists in many national and international events.
After high school, they continued their fencing journey at the USSR’s University of Physical Education, where they studied coaching, physical education, and physical therapy. After graduating, they continued competing until Arkadiy retired from competitive fencing to focus on a career as a physical therapist, including for the Soviet Union’s Olympic Rowing Team.
In 1987, amidst the chaos of civil war in Azerbaijan, the brothers displayed their indomitable spirit by fleeing the state of Azerbaijan. Determined to continue his elite fencing training, Maestro Mikhail moved to Ukraine to study under world-renowned Maestros Andrievsky and Vasyl Stankovych, and competed for the Ukrainian National team.
As the Soviet Union unraveled, Maestro Mikhail received an opportunity to immigrate to the United States as a refugee, a process that took four years through the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and Soviet authorities.
In April 1992, Maestro Mikhail immigrated to the United States with his wife, 11-month-old daughter, Dayana, and parents, settling in Twin Falls, Idaho.
However, finding a fencing coach job in Idaho in 1992 was nearly impossible. After 10 months, Mikhail contacted Susan Peterson, the Michigan Fencing Division secretary, who lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan. An enthusiastic group of fencers from Grand Rapids invited Mikhail to visit and potentially become their coach. They even raised money creatively by printing private lesson coupons resembling dollar bills with Mikhail’s face. Mikhail visited Grand Rapids, conducted lessons, and was asked to become the first professional fencing coach in West Michigan.
In February 1993, Mikhail moved to Grand Rapids and began coaching at West Michigan Fencing Academy (WMFA), which was formed simultaneously. In 1996, his younger brother, Arkadiy, joined the coaching staff, significantly contributing to the academy's growth.
From 1993 to 2002, Maestros Mikhail and Arkadiy coached the fencers at WMFA. Many became successful fencers, and some later, after Maestro's departure, became the coaches at WMFA.
Many Sarkisov former students work as coaches not only in West Michigan clubs but also on the east side of the state.
In 2002, Mikhail and Arkadiy opened their club: the Grand Rapids Advanced Fencing Academy (GRAFA), a premier fencing institution offering professional training for all levels, from recreational to national and international.
Several advanced fencers joined GRAFA, including Tory Petersen, Joseph and Zach Williams, Dayana (Mikhail’s daughter), and Rada Sarkisova (Arkadiy’s daughter).
GRAFA fencers have earned over 130 national medals and six from World Cups. GRAFA fencers have represented the United States, Latvia, and the Philippines in world cups and world championships in Bulgaria, Egypt, and the UAE.
GRAFA is home to Dayana Sarkisova, the First All-American women’s foilist in Northwestern history, who is four times a row American and a Northwestern University Hall of Fame member.
GRAFA is home to Rada Sarkisova, the Cadets National Champion and the Notre Dame fencing team captain.
In 2021, Four GRAFA fencers represented their universities in the NCAA Championship, one of the most significant representations at the event.
From 2006 to 2009, the maestros coached the United States Cadets' and Junior foil women’s travel team, winning multiple World Cup gold medals in Europe.
GRAFA students have gone on to attend prestigious universities such as Northwestern, Notre Dame, Cornell, Temple, NYU, Boston College, Brandeis, Michigan State, Wayne State, University of Michigan, and UNC on various fencing scholarships.