The New York University Fencing Teams have added a pair of World Champion Fencers as Volunteer Assistant Coaches.

"We are thrilled to unveil the dynamic duo of Sara Taffel and Eli Dershwitz as Volunteer Assistant Coaches here at NYU," said Head Coach Ben Bratton. "These celebrated athletes bring a whirlwind of excitement and expertise to the NYU fencing program, promising an electrifying season for both the team and their supporters."

Dershwitz, the reigning world number two in men's saber, joins the Violets following his historic victory last month, where he was crowned the 2023 World Champion, a groundbreaking achievement in the history of the United States' Men's Sabre program. In his new role, Dershwitz will partner with Assistant Coach Aleks Ochocki, providing invaluable guidance to the saber teams as he prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A 2019 graduate of Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, Dershwitz won four individual Ivy League titles and two individual NCAA Championships, in addition to helping the Crimson capture two Ivy League team titles. He boasted a career record of 58-2 at the Ivy League Championships and 70-4 at the NCAA Tournament.

In the midst of an illustrious career that includes junior and senior Saber World Champion titles, Pan-American Games medals, and two Olympic appearances, Dershwitz brings an unmatched wealth of experience to the team.

"Having an athlete of Eli's caliber join our coaching staff is nothing short of a game-changer," Bratton explained. "His recent world championship title is a testament to his extraordinary skill and unwavering commitment to the sport. Eli's experience, both as a fencer and as a coach, is bound to propel our saber teams to new heights."

Taffel, a two-time Junior World Championship medalist and gold medalist at the 2015 Junior World Championships, will team up with Assistant Coach Brian Kaneshige to help lead the foil fencers as a bouting partner and on-strip fencing coach. Her remarkable track record, as a fencing prodigy and a dedicated mentor at the Prescod Institute for Sport, Teamwork, and Education Fencing Academy, solidifies her as a revered asset to the team.

A 2017 graduate with honors from Barnard College, Columbia University, Taffel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies and a minor in Psychology. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work in Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.

Taffel played a pivotal role in Columbia's team titles at the 2015 and 2016 NCAA and Ivy League Championships. A two-time All-American and four-time All-Ivy, she was a four-year recipient of Barnard's Athlete Award and Columbia's 2017 Karen Blank Award Recipient.

"Sara's astounding background and passion for integrating social-emotional learning into fencing for young athletes is invaluable," Bratton said. "We're ecstatic to welcome her to our fencing program and eagerly await the contributions she will bring to the team."

Both NYU squads begin the 2023-24 season with competition at the Temple University Open on November 4-5 in Philadelphia, PA.