NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Victoria M. "Vicky" Chun, Yale University's Thomas A. Beckett Director of Athletics has announced the promotion of
Marat Israelian to Head Fencing Coach for the women's and men's programs.
Israelian served as Yale's interim head coach during the 2021-22 season and was an assistant fencing coach for two seasons prior, joining the Bulldogs in 2019.
"I am thrilled that Marat will be leading our fencing programs as our next head coach. His proven leadership and commitment to the student-athlete experience has and will continue to take Yale fencing to the highest level of excellence," said Chun.
In Yale's first season with Israelian at the helm, the women finished eighth in the country at NCAA's where
Emme Zhou earned All-America honors with an eighth-place finish in the foil. Yale's two programs combined to finish ninth overall at the 2022 Championships.
The Bulldogs also had success at the Northeast Regionals where seven women and three men earned All-Region recognition.
"I would like to thank Vicky Chun and the Yale Athletics administration for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank our Deputy AD
Ann-Marie Guglieri and sport supervisor
Megan Lupini who supported me from the beginning and helped me navigate this year as interim head coach," said Israelian. "I am proud to be part of the Yale community and it is an honor to be entrusted with heading the prestigious Yale fencing team."
In Israelian's inaugural season on the Yale staff, he helped both the men's and women's teams to top-10 national finishes while mentoring seven Bulldogs that earned All-America recognition.
Israelian was a standout student-athlete as a fencer at St. John's University where he won the NCAA epee championship in 2010 and 2011. He served as a captain for the Red Storm and helped the team to three top-four finishes at the NCAA Fencing Championships.
As a professional fencer, Israelian was a European Championship finalist in 2005 and ranked third overall in the junior world rankings in 2003 and 2004.
