Ed Korfanty was born in Poland. He started fencing
at age 16 and fenced a number of years on the Polish Junior and Senior
National Teams before graduating from the reknowned Academy of Physical
Education in Katowice, Poland with a master's degree in Physical
Education and a Master of Fencing degree. By 1984 he had become the
head coach at the Olympic Center in Katowice, Poland and coach of the
Polish National Team. In 1990 Coach Korfanty immigrated to the United
States and became assistant fencing coach at the University of Notre
Dame.
In 1993 he came to the Oregon Fencing Alliance (OFA).
Maestro Korfanty’s first student to make historical progress in US
fencing was Seth Kelsey who made the Cadet, Junior and Senior US
National teams in epee in one season. Under his direction, the Oregon
Fencing Alliance Club moved to become a one weapon club in 2000
concentrating solely on sabre fencing. The accomplishments of his
students have been extraordinary in the history of US fencing.
His
students have won 9 Individual Gold Medals at World Championships
including the Olympic Gold in 2004. As US National Coach of Women’s
Sabre the US Women’s Sabre team has won 6 Gold medals in the Team World
Championships. Add to that the additional individual and team medals
won at the World Championships and it makes 17 more medals.
Mariel
Zagunis, who started her fencing with him at age 10, has won an
unprecedented 3 individual World Championship Gold medals (Cadet in
2001, Junior in 2001, Junior in 2005) and the first OLYMPIC Gold medal
for US fencing since 1904. She has been a member of all 5 teams that
won World Championship Gold medals for US Fencing.
Other notable
students include Caitlin Thompson - 2004 Cadet World Champion, Rebecca
Ward: 2005 FIE overall Jr. World Champion - 2006 Cadet World Champion -
2006 Jr. World Champion - 2006 Jr. World Team Champion member- 2006
Senior World Champion. Additional students who have made the US
national teams include Patrick Ghattas, Mera Keltner and William
Thanhouser.
He continues to be recognized internationally by his
students being honored as the World Cup FIE holder in Junior Women’s
sabre for 4 consecutive years, and the Senior Women's FIE World Cup
holder in 2006. The US Women’s sabre team won the FIE team World Cup
honor in 2003.
Nominees 
Ed Korfanty was born in Poland. He started fencing
at age 16 and fenced a number of years on the Polish Junior and Senior
National Teams before graduating from the reknowned Academy of Physical
Education in Katowice, Poland with a master's degree in Physical
Education and a Master of Fencing degree. By 1984 he had become the
head coach at the Olympic Center in Katowice, Poland and coach of the
Polish National Team. In 1990 Coach Korfanty immigrated to the United
States and became assistant fencing coach at the University of Notre
Dame.