Joseph Williams

Assistant Coach Joseph trained under Maestros Mikhail & Arkadiy from age 10-18.

During that time, his competitive career flourished, including in 2005, when he secured an impressive 8th place in Division 2 at the US National Championships, plus a Bronze medal at the Canadian Junior National Championships in Montreal.

Coach Joseph has also earned many medals at numerous Regional and State titles, including first place at the Junior Michigan State Championship.

As GRAFA’s Foil Junior Team Captain, his team took fifth place at the US Junior National Championships.

Since retiring from competition, Coach Joseph has worked for several years at GRAFA, first as an Associate Coach from 2006-2012, returning in 2020 to continue coaching and traveling with GRAFA’s team ever since.

Coach Joseph is the official traveling coach for the GRAFA team. Under his guidance at Regional tournaments, GRAFA students earned several medals, including gold medals.

In his non-fencing life, Coach Joseph works in environmental engineering, and is a certified “fire and explosion investigator,” holding a CFEI license.

He’s also father to the wonderful, smart, and fun-to-hang-out-with toddler Ashur, who is definitely a future National Champion fencer for GRAFA. Joseph also has a dog (Stella), and enjoys playing ukulele guitar.

Coach Joe currently oversees our kinder Little Musketeers program, available for 5-7 year olds. He also coaches our Foil and Epee Intermediate and Advanced classes, and offers private lessons in both weapons.