Our Qualified Team
MEET OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS
Dr MIHAIL KOUZEV, PhD (Sport Science)
Founder & CEO, Maître D'armes (Épée Specialist)
EDUCATION
- PhD in Sport Science (Theory and Methodology)
- Master’s Degree in Fencing and High Performance Sport
- Master’s Degree Teacher of Physical and Health Education
ACHIEVEMENTS
As a Coach:
Internationally:
- Arab Championships Cadet Bahrain 2020 – Lynn Gedeon – Individual Gold (personal coach)
- Arab Championships Cadet Bahrain 2020 – Omar Belselah – Individual Bronze (personal coach)
- Arab Championships Cadet Bahrain 2020 – Omar Belselah – Team Bronze (personal coach)
- Arab Championship Jordan 2018 – Lynn Gedeon Team Foil Gold medallist (personal coach)
- Arab Championship Jordan 2018 – Lynn Gedeon Team Epee Bronze medallist (personal coach)
- Arab Championship Jordan 2017 – Lynn Gedeon Team Epee Bronze medallist (personal coach)
- Arab Championship Jordan 2017 – Lynn Gedeon Team Foil Bronze medallist (personal coach)
- GCC Championships Dubai Feb 2014 – Hala Belselah – Individual Bronze (personal coach)
- GCC Championships Dubai Feb 2014 – Hala Belselah – Team Silver (personal coach)
- GCC Championships Bahrain Nov 2011 – Hala Belselah – Individual Bronze ( personal coach)
Nationally:
- Multiple National titles in various age groups and gender and achievements: www.mkfencingacademy.com/achievements/
As a Leader:
- Founder and CEO of the MK Fencing Academy ( MKFA)
- Recognised by the UAE Fencing Federation as leading the Best Épée Fencing Centre and Centre of Excellence in Dubai and the UAE
- Consulting the development of the Fencing Sport in the UAE since 2001
- Gold Winner in the category “Best Sport Youth Academy /Organization of the Year” on the UAE Sports Industry Awards SPIA, 2018
- Runner up (2nd place) in the category “Best Club/Academy in UAE” on the UAE Teen Sports and Fitness Awards, 2018
- UIPM Coordinator in Middle East region www.pentathlon.org
As an Athlete:
- Bulgarian National Fencing Champion Epee Cadets 1996
- Master of Sports (fencing, swimming, show jumping, running and shooting)
- Former member of the Bulgarian National Modern Pentathlon Team 1993-1999
- Modern Pentathlon National Champion 1996-1999
- Participant in three Modern Pentathlon World Championships and two European Modern Pentathlon World Championship
Contact: mihail@mkfencingacademy.com
PASQUALE CAPUANO
Coach (Épée Specialist)
EDUCATION
- Qualified Italian Fencing Coach
- SNaQ Level I Coaching Qualification
- SNaQ Level II Coaching Qualification
- Extensive international coaching experience across Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain
ACHIEVEMENTS
As a Coach:
Internationally:
- Coaching experience at London Fencing Club and Plymouth Fencing Club, where he served as Head Coach
- Coached and supported athletes competing at European Championships and World Championships
- Supported athletes competing at Asian Games and Pan American Games level
- His coaching pathway has included British national champions, international championship representatives, a Swedish U17 national team fencer, a veteran world champion and a Paris 2024 Olympic modern pentathlete
- Extensive experience working with fencers from youth and beginner levels through to national and international competition
- Organised and contributed to international fencing camps and competitive training environments involving athletes, coaches and leading representatives of the Italian épée community
Nationally:
- Worked with national champions and competitive athletes across different age categories
- Head Coach and Chairman of Accademia Scherma Cremona ASD
- Managed athlete development, coaching programmes and club operations
- Supported the technical and organisational growth of the club
- Organised fencing tournaments, camps and athlete-development activities
As a Leader:
- Experienced Head Coach and fencing club chairman
- Successfully combined athlete development with club leadership and operations
- Experienced in organising fencing camps, tournaments and international training environments
- Strong background in communication, organisation and digital development
- Committed to creating structured, professional and athlete-centred fencing programmes
Contact: pasquale@mkfencingacademy.com
MARIA KOUZEVA
Maître D'armes (Épée Specialist)
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s Degree in Modern Pentathlon (fencing, swimming, running, horse riding and shooting)
- Physical Education-PE teacher / main subjects: Pedagogy, Biomechanics, Physiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Psychology and Sport medicine
ACHIEVEMENTS
As Coach:
Internationally
- Arab Championships Cadet Bahrain 2020 – Lynn Gedeon – Individual Gold
- Arab Championships Cadet Bahrain 2020 – Omar Belselah – Individual Bronze
- Arab Championships Cadet Bahrain 2020 – Omar Belselah – Team Bronze
- GCC Championships Dubai Feb 2014 – Hala Belselah – Individual Bronze
- GCC Championships Dubai Feb 2014 – Hala Belselah – Team Silver
- GCC Championships Bahrain Nov 2011 – Hala Belselah – Individual Bronze
As a Leader:
- Co-Founder at the MK Fencing Academy ( MKFA)
- Consulting the development of the Fencing Sport in the UAE since 2001
- Gold Winner in the category “Best Sport Youth Academy /Organization of the Year” on the UAE Sports Industry Awards SPIA, 2018
- Runner up (2nd place) in the category “Best Club/Academy in UAE” on the UAE Teen Sports and Fitness Awards, 2018
As an Athlete:
- Fencing Champion in Epee and Foil, 4th place Saber 1999-2000
- Member of the Bulgarian Fencing and Modern Pentathlon Federations
- Former member of the Bulgarian National Modern Pentathlon Team
- Modern pentathlon national Champion 1995-98
- Participant in European Championship 1997
- Participant in World Championship 1998
Contact: maria@mkfencingacademy.com
SZABINA MATYAS
Coach (Sabre Specialist)
EDUCATION
- Experienced Internationa Fencing Coach
- Bachelor’s Studies – BSU, Budapest
- Early Childcare Education – Liberties College, Dublin
- Level 3 Personal Trainer, ensuring a strong foundation in physical conditioning and athlete development
ACHIEVEMENTS
As a Coach
Internationally:
Coaching sabre for children and adults in
Hungary and Ireland, developing athletes at both grassroots and competitive levels.
Nationally:
Currently based in Dubai , working with fencers of all ages and abilities, from beginners to advanced competitors.
As an Athlete:
- Represented Hungary twice at the World and European Youth Championships
- Bronze Team Medalist at the European Championship , Rovigo, Italy (2008).
- 2x Hungarian National Sabre Champion
- Represented Ireland at the Olympic Zonal Qualifier, Prague (2016).
- 2x Irish National Sabre Champion
- Competed in the UAE Adult Sabre Championships, earning 2 Gold Medals
Contact: fence@mkfencingacademy.com