Our Coaches
Learn about our coaches here at Guanyi Fencing Academy!
Jie Gao
Head Coach
Coach Gao is an experienced men’s épée fencer and international FIE fencing coach. He is a former member of the Chinese National Fencing Team and currently serves as the Épée Coach for the Johns Hopkins University Fencing Team.
Coach Gao has dedicated his career to developing competitive youth fencers and high-level athletes. He is the Founder and Head Coach of Guanyi Fencing Academy, where he works with athletes of all levels to develop strong technical, tactical, and competitive skills.
Achievements
Under Coach Gao’s guidance, Guanyi Fencing Academy athletes have achieved outstanding results at the national and international levels:
* U.S. National Champions and top national rankings;
* North American Championship titles and medals;
* #1 and top-three national rankings in Y10, Y12, Y14, and Cadet;
* Athletes selected to represent Team USA at international competitions and World Championships;
* Strong results at Pan American Championships, European Circuit events, and FIE World Cups;
* Students accepted to top U.S. universities, including Ivy League, and continuing their fencing careers at the NCAA level.
Coach Gao is committed to helping young athletes progress from club fencing to national competition, international competition, and top college fencing in the United States.
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.