Meet Coach Susanna C. Napoli
Coach
Bay Area Fencing Club is proud to feature Coach Susanna C. Napoli, an elite foil coach whose background combines a brilliant competitive career on the global stage with over a decade of high-performance coaching experience. Trained at the most successful fencing club in the world and a former long-time member of the Italian National Team, Coach Susanna brings world-renowned Italian technical precision and tactical mastery to our strip.
Professional Background & Athletic Pedigree
Fencing at the absolute highest levels, Coach Susanna was a member of the Italian National Foil Fencing Team for nine years, capturing numerous national and international medals. Her stellar athletic highlights include:
- International World Cup Success: Earned a Bronze medal at the Lyon U20 World Cup, alongside multiple top finishes at World Cups in Germany, Hungary, Austria, and Italy.
- Italian National Champion: Crowned Italian National Champion in both the U17 and U20 divisions, secured multiple Silver and Bronze medals in Senior and Open National championships, and held the Number 1 ranking in Italy's U17 division.
- Global Experience: Coached in one of Italy's most prestigous clubs, where she produced a few top young Italian champions and medalists. Coached at two east coast fencing clubs before joining Bay Area Fencing Club.
Coaching Philosophy
Certified by the prestigious Federazione Italiana Scherma (Italian Fencing Federation) as both a coach and a national referee, Coach Susanna's coaching style is rooted in elite European traditions. Her approach focuses on:
Strategic & Technical Mastery
Utilizing her expert knowledge of foil techniques and refereeing insight to teach fencers how to execute flawless bladework and anticipate bout dynamics.
Global Athletic Development
Designing comprehensive training structures, including organizing international training camps in Italy to expose students to global fencing standards.
Holistic Excellence
Combining strong leadership and motivational abilities with organized planning to help fencers of all skill levels build lifelong confidence and discipline.
Notable Achievements
- U.S. National Success: Coached American youth fencers to medal-winning performances at NACs (North American Cups) and Summer Nationals, successfully guiding athletes to earn elite 'A', 'B', and 'C' ratings.
- European & International Pipeline: Previously developed top-tier talent in Italy, training the #1 ranked U14 athlete in Italy, Italian National Championship Gold and Silver medalists, and finalists at the Paris International Marathon.
- Academic & Sport Balance: Holding a Master's Degree in Modern Philology, Coach Susanna mirrors our club's dedication to developing well-rounded, highly intelligent scholar-athletes.
"Fencing is an art form that demands a perfect balance of sharp technical execution and mental agility. My mission is to guide fencers to discover their inner resilience, helping them achieve their absolute highest potential on the national and international stage."— Coach Susanna C. Napoli