Thrust Fencing Academy

Can’t say enough about Coach Sankofa and his incredible instruction! Our son took fencing as an after school activity at his elementary school and we saw amazing growth and maturity during the semester. Coach both demands respect of the kids and returns it to them, and leads by example with focus, precision and professionalism. We are eager to continue with this great experience at Thrust, and highly recommend it to families in the area!

The owner and head coach, Mika'il Sankofa, is not only an excellent coach, but also a top tier mentor. While I did not feel motivated in athletics and academics, Mika'il was able to change my life through fencing.

He helped me become focused as an athlete and as a student, and still checks in on me to this day, almost a decade after I stopped competing. His care for his students and his passion for fencing are unparalleled.

Now I work in education, and model my teaching style after Mika'il's approach to coaching. He is excellent with kids, and can take your child as far as they want to in the world of fencing.

I highly recommend Thrust Fencing Academy and all that Coach Sankofa offers.

What I truly admire about Coach Mika’il is that his guidance and wisdom exceeds fencing. I joined Thrust Fencing Academy in high school knowing I would be training under a 3x Olympian and 4x NCAA champion. Under his guidance, I was able to develop my skills to levels I had never expected. What I did not know is that he would go above and beyond. From helping me connect with collegiate coaches as a part of the college admissions process to taking me across the country to compete in tournaments, Coach Mika’il would go out of his way to help ensure my success whether it be fencing related or not. I am very grateful for the time I spent at Thrust. It is a wonderful academy with an incredible Coach who only wants the very best for his students.

My son was not interested in sports (or any organized activity, for that matter) until he started at Thrust Fencing Academy. Not only did he find a sport that he loved, he also found a sense of belonging, and he learned how to set and achieve goals. He also gained a great deal of confidence. Coach Mikha’il is not only an incredible coach for fencing but also made a real impact on my son and our whole family during the years we were at Thrust. We will be forever grateful to Coach for all that he has done for us! 100% would recommend Thrust for anyone interested in fencing, even if you think your kid is not an athlete. Because they will learn more than just a sport; they will learn valuable lessons for life!

Mika'il is an excellent coach. He takes time to understand the capabilities of each student and maps out a plan to help them reach and surpass their fencing goals. He has a thorough understanding of what it takes to develop as a fencer and eventually win at tournaments. Fencers have grown tremendously under his leadership. I highly recommend him as a coach.