Pittsburgh Fencers' Club

Coach Iana has been fencing, coaching, and refereeing for over 40 years. She was a member of the Bulgarian national team from 1983-1990. She came to the US in 1997 and founded the Three Rivers Fencing Center and later in 2017 the Pittsburgh Fencers’ Club. Coach Dakova has coached numerous college and high school teams including the CMU fencing club, Winchester Thurston, North Allegheny, Ellis, and CDS. She has served on the USA Fencing Refereeing Commission and is currently on the FIE Refereeing Commission, being one of only two Americans on FIE Commissions. She also served on the Directoire Technique (Bout Committee) for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Coach Bogdan has been fencing since 2007. He is the gold medalist of the European Cadet (2017) and Junior (2019) Championships. He is also a multiple gold, silver and bronze medalist at FIE cadet and junior World Cups. Bogdan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Health from Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education. He has worked as a coach in Russia, Turkey and Serbia previously. Coach Bogdan came to Pittsburgh in 2023. He is excited to grow fencing in Pittsburgh and working with the next generation of champions.

Deb Theriault has been fencing for more than 52 years, and has been teaching since 1984, at many recreational programs in and around Pittsburgh, In addition to running tournaments and officiating, she’s also competed in many local and regional fencing competitions, as well as in national and international senior age group (“veteran”) fencing events. Most recently, Deb represented the United States in the 2023 Veteran World Fencing Championships, competing in Veteran 70 and up Women’s Foil, where she won a 2nd place medal fencing on the Women’s Foil Team. Deb has received instructor training through USA Fencing and the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association

Dave Theriault has been fencing for more than 53 years, and has been teaching since 1984, at many recreational programs in and around Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to running tournaments and officiating, he’s also competed in many local and regional fencing competitions. Dave has received instructor training through USA Fencing and the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association. He’s certified as a Moniteur in both Foil and Epee by the USFCA.