GRAFA Facts

(AKA: our brag sheet)

  • GRAFA is the youngest yet most experienced fencing club in West Michigan.

  • 1st + only West MI club that’s home to 8 National Champions.

  • 1st Michigan fencing club to have a member Bronze medal at an NCAA Fencing Championship, Harvard University, 2010.

  • Maestro Mikhail was honored as the 2004 Developmental Coach of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

  • Home of Dayana Sarkisova

    • First Team All-American (2010, as a freshman)

    • 1st 4x All-American at Northwestern University

    • 1st Northwestern foilist ever to earn First Team All-American status.

  • GRAFA fencers have earned over 4 World Cup medals + 100 medals at Nationals — the most of any club in Michigan.

  • Maestros Mikhail & Arkadiy have traveled as coaches for the Cadet & Junior Women’s Foil Team to 11 World Cups & Pan American Games, assisting fencers in earning many medals, including Gold.

  • Both of GRAFA’s Maestros hold Bachelor’s Degrees in Physical Education, with minors in Pedagogy + Physical Therapy.

  • All GRAFA coaches have a college degree + years of experience.