Roman has been fencing and coaching for 35 years. He emigrated to Canada in 1994 from St. Petersburg, Russia where he earned a degree in physical education and a Master of Sport of Fencing (the highest qualification in sports in the former USSR). Roman was a member of St. Petersburg and National USSR fencing teams, winning multiple tournaments both individually and as a team member until 1985 when he retired from his own competitive career. 

He continued on coaching in St. Petersburg until he arrived in Canada where he coached from 1996 until 2003 at Brock University and Niagara Swords fencing clubs where he helped develop nationally competitive programs in saber and foil. 

Two of his most well recognized students include Kyle Girard, Canadian Men’s Saber National Champion in 2002 and Mark Peros who was a bronze medalist for the Canadian Men’s Saber Team at the Pan American Games.

Roman has a passion for coaching and has helped hundreds of beginners to discover a love for fencing. He has guided many from their first lunges to top national level finishes. 

In his free time Roman enjoys playing the guitar and chilling in a good hot Russian steam sauna.