Our Coaches
Learn about our coaches here at Guanyi Fencing Academy!
Jie Gao
Head Coach
Gao is a national champion with many top-three finishes in Epee at the China National Fencing Championships, including individual first-place finishes in 2002, 2003, and 2004 and team first-place finishes in 2000 and 2003. In addition, he earned first place in the men's Epee (individual) and third place in the men's Epee (team) at the 2004 Asian Fencing Championships.
Gao was a fencer with the Chinese National Men’s Epee Team and an assistant coach of the Chinese National Women’s Epee Team at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. He is the Men’s and Women’s Epee coach at Johns Hopkins University.
Jianchuan Yang
Assistant Coach
Coach Yang is a professional fencing coach with experience coaching teenage fencers. He has led his team to success in numerous competitions, including:
1. Second place in Man’s Foil Team at the Olympic Games in Sydney and Athens (2000 and 2004)
2. First place in Man’s Foil Individual at the World Fencing Championships (1995 and 1997)
3. First place in Man’s Foil Individual at the World Cadets and Juniors Fencing Championships (1989)
4. First place in Man’s Foil Individual and Team at the Asian Games and the Asian Fencing Championships (1990, 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1998)
Coach Yang has been the head coach for Shanghai Youth’s Foil Team since 1984, and his students have earned numerous championships during his career there. In 1990, he started coaching for the Shanghai Man’s Foil Team, leading them to win both the gold medals, Individual and Team, at the 1993 National Games of China. Since then, he has started coaching for the Chinese National Man’s Foil Team. In 1996, Coach Yang came to the United States and has resided there since.
José Miguel Alfonso Jorge
Assistant Coach
Coach José Miguel Alfonso Jorge is an experienced fencing and modern pentathlon coach with over nine years of professional experience. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and a Master’s Degree in Sports Training, specializing in fencing performance, tactics, and individualized athlete development.
José began his coaching career at Cuba’s Escuela de Iniciación Deportiva Escolar (EIDE), where his athletes achieved multiple provincial and national medals, including gold in mixed relays and individual events. His dedication and results earned him recognition as Best Sports Coach of 2012. In 2017, one of his athletes advanced to the Cuban National Modern Pentathlon Team, reflecting his commitment to developing top-level competitors.
Internationally, José served at Venezuela’s naval academy, coaching military pentathlon and guiding athletes to top finishes in inter-academic and South American competitions.
Known for his technical precision, tactical insight, and passion for mentorship, Coach José is dedicated to helping every athlete grow in skill, confidence, and competitive excellence.