Meet Our Coaches
Serge Lilov - Sabre Coach
Serge Lilov is an accomplished head coach and co-founder of Lilov Fencing Academy — widely recognized as one of the top private fencing programs in the United States and one of the oldest fencing clubs in New Jersey. His own competitive career was remarkable: a Ukrainian National Sabre Champion and a multiple-medalist with the USSR Cadet and Junior National Teams, Serge earned the prestigious title of Master of Sport of Fencing at just 16 — losing only a single touch in the national championship gold-medal bout to future Olympic champion Stanislav Pozdnyakov.
After relocating to the United States, Serge became a 3-time NCAA All-American and US Junior National Champion with the New York Athletic Club, and played an instrumental role in Penn State’s run of six consecutive NCAA Championships from 1995 to 2000. As a coach, he has guided countless students to gold, silver, and bronze medals at regional, national, and international tournaments.
Serge sharpened his own fencing under esteemed coach Efim Chvidko at Fecht-Club Tauberbischofsheim in Germany. He first discovered the art of teaching private lessons while coaching his son, Neil, from the age of nine — and to master that craft, he sought out some of the world’s finest instructors, including Christian Bauer (Moscow), Efim Chvidko (Tauberbischofsheim), and Sandor Tabor (Madrid). What he learned from them shapes the way he coaches at Lilov Fencing Academy today.
Beyond his achievements in fencing, Serge holds a B.S. from Penn State University, an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation — a reflection of his lifelong commitment to learning and growth.
Serge’s Personal Results
- Ukraine National Champion, 1991 (vs. Vadim Gutzeit)
- USSR National Champion runner-up, Silver 1990/Bronze 1989 (vs. Stanislav Pozdnyakov)
- USA Junior National Champion, 1992 (NYAC)
- USA Senior National Champion, 1995 and 1996 (NYAC)
- Three-time NCAA All American First Team, 1995-96-97, Penn State University
- NCAA Individual Champion runner-up, 1996 and 1997
- Member of Ukraine and USSR Cadet and Junior National Teams
Alexander Buikevich - Sabre Coach
Alex Buikevich is a world-renowned Belarusian sabre fencer with an exceptional competitive career at the highest levels of the sport.
Alex spent twelve years as a member of the Belarusian national team (2004–2016), a span that took him to three consecutive Olympic Games and earned him a long list of international honors. Today he brings that elite experience to the strip as a coach and mentor, helping each of his students grow into confident, capable fencers.
2008 Beijing Olympic Games
2012 London Olympic Games
2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games
2008 Beijing Olympics — 8th Place, Individual
2008 European Individual Champion
2011 World Championships — Silver Medal
Numerous World Cup and World Championship medals at both junior and senior levels
International Master of Sports
Honored Master of Sport of the Republic of Belarus
Whether a student dreams of competing at the highest level or simply wants to build confidence and skill, Alex offers a strong foundation built on world-class experience and genuine dedication to their development.
3x Olympian & European Individual Champion
Alex holds a B.S. degree in Physical Education from the University of Physical Culture in Belarus, reflecting his commitment to both athletic and educational excellence.
Paul Kutelvas - Epee Coach
With more than 40 years of coaching experience spanning three continents — Asia, Europe, and the United States — Paul Kutlevas brings a rare depth of international expertise to Lilov Fencing Academy. Over a career shaped by many different schools and traditions of the sport, he has developed a versatile, well-rounded approach to teaching épée.
From 1990 to 2004, Coach Kutlevas served as Head Coach of the Republic of Uzbekistan National Fencing Team, where he mentored a generation of young fencers and prepared several medalists who went on to succeed at the USSR cadet and junior national championships.
From 2004 to 2007, he served as National Épée Coach for Taiwan, leading both the men’s and women’s cadet and junior national épée teams. Under his guidance, his athletes earned medals at the Asian Championships and became strong contenders at the cadet and junior World Championships — a testament to his dedication and commitment to his students.
One of Coach Kutlevas’s standout athletes, Shu Jo Ting, went on to represent Asia at the 2012 London Olympic Games — fencing’s biggest stage. Her appearance on the Olympic piste reflects the kind of world-class development Paul brings to every fencer he trains.
With four decades of coaching experience, his expertise is deeply respected throughout the international fencing community, and he carries that same dedication into his work with each student at Lilov Fencing Academy.
Vladimir Lilov - Sabre Coach
Vladimir Lilov has devoted 45 years to coaching fencing — a sport he loves deeply. In 1992 he left his native Ukraine for the United States and founded a fencing academy, and his very first student, Nicole Mustilli, went on to win gold in women’s team sabre for the USA at the 2000 World Championships in Hungary. In the years since, Maestro Lilov has produced one top-tier fencer after another, with students medaling at regional, national, and international tournaments.
His influence on the sport began long before his move to the US. Vladimir worked with both the USSR National fencing team (1985–1990) and the Ukraine National fencing team (1990–1992), and earned a Master of Science in Physical Education from the prestigious University of Physical Education in Lviv, Ukraine, along with the title of Master of Sport of Fencing — the highest athletic classification in the former USSR.
Vladimir is also regarded as one of the world’s top fencing referees, holding the International Category B designation. He has officiated at the Olympic Games in Moscow (1980) and Atlanta (1996), as well as at the finals of numerous World Championships and World Cup tournaments.
Maestro Lilov’s greatest gift is his ability to pass on flawless technique and a modern understanding of the sport. His pupils have become top national and international contenders — a testament to his exceptional coaching. His passion is evident in every lesson, and he is deeply respected throughout the fencing community for his knowledge, expertise, and unwavering dedication to his craft.
Vladimir’s Notable Students
- Nicole Mustilli – World Championships, Hungary: Gold Medal
- Catherine Pack – Junior World Championships, South Bend: Silver Medal
- Dmitri Kopylov – 7-time USA FENCING TEAM member
- Brian Walther – Junior Olympic Championships: Gold Medal
- Catherine Pack – Junior Olympic Championships: 2 Gold Medals (Cadet & Junior)
- Paul Apostol – US National Championships: Gold Medal
- LFA Women’s Sabre Team – US National Championships: 2 Gold Medals, 1 Silver Medal
Our Coaching Philosophy
At our academy, coaching isn’t a job — it’s a passion. Our coaches are true fanatics of the sport, deeply invested in every fencer who walks through our doors. We take the time to understand each athlete as a whole person: their strengths and weaknesses on the strip, the subjects they love or struggle with at school, what motivates them, and what challenges them. This personal knowledge is the foundation of meaningful coaching, allowing us to tailor instruction in a way that truly resonates with each child.
To protect the quality of every lesson, we intentionally limit the number of private lessons each coach gives per day. Unlike larger clubs where coaches may give 15 or more private lessons daily and inevitably run out of steam, our coaches bring 100% energy, focus, and enthusiasm to every single session. When your child steps onto the piste with us, they receive a coach who is fully present, fully engaged, and genuinely excited to be there — because we believe that’s the only way to develop world-class fencers and confident young people.
We also take a thoughtful, long-term approach to competition. Fencers are sent to tournaments only when they’re truly ready, allowing us to gradually build their mental toughness and confidence at a pace that sets them up for success rather than discouragement. Youth tournaments, in our view, are about development, not results — they are stepping stones, not finish lines. Our goal is to prepare each fencer to peak when it truly matters: during their cadet and junior years, when results begin to shape their athletic future.
