Bakhyt Abdikulov

Mr. Abdikulov is a former World Cup Champion and Olympian. Besides coaching at U-High, he is head coach at the Fencing Center of Chicago.

When did you start fencing?

When I was 14 years old.

How did you become a coach?

Because I wanted to.

When did you become a coach?

I started in 1993.

What do you love about being a coach?

Producing good fencers.

What are your goals for the U-High team this year?

To see improvement because we have lots of beginners and I would like to get 4 medals: Clemente [Figueroa], Jacob [Shkrob], Tiangang Huang, and Zoe [Dervin].

What do you do when you’re not coaching?

I coach all day.

Who is your favorite artist and why?

Stevie Wonder, I love his songs.

How do you motivate the team?

With practice and giving interesting things, encouraging, convincing, and getting them good results.

Lawrence Shelven

Mr. Shelven is a 2017 Dartmouth graduate and a fencing instructor at Hyde Park Fencing.

When did you start fencing?

In freshman year of high school.

When did you become a coach?

I just started this season.

What do you love about being a coach?

Sharing all the things I’ve learned through my years of fencing and seeing people catching on.

What are your goals for the U-High team this year?

To get a lot of people to go to tournaments, to do well, and to have people enjoy the sport and have confidence.

What do you do when you’re not coaching?

I have a job at a restaurant and another coaching job, and volunteer at a homeless ministry, and I hangout with my roommates.

Who is your favorite artist and why?

Chance the Rapper, because he has a very particular style of music but it touches on a lot of issues.

How do you motivate the team?

By being hard but understanding since I’ve been a student as well. Have them know that you start as a beginner and work your way up.