SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia is pleased to announce Rolando Tucker Leon as the new foil assistant coach for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
Tucker Leon comes to the Irish after spending the last eight years as the Head Coach at the Fencing Sports Academy in Fairfax, Va. While at the academy, Tucker Leon led the foil program developing athletes from youth to college level. He coached multiple athletes to top results at numerous national and international competitions. He also researched and developed foil fencing technical and tactical models to stay competitive at all levels.
Prior to the Fencing Sports Academy, he spent 14 years in Valencia, Spain as a fencing coach and personal trainer at Mediterráneo Fencing Club. During his time in Spain, he was also an assistant coach for the Spanish National Fencing Team. He guided them to a bronze medal at the 2002 world championships, which was the best all-time finish by the team at the world championships.
Tucker Leon had a distinguished fencing career on the international stage for Cuba. He won three gold medals (1991, 1994 and 1995) and a silver (1997) throughout his career at the World Championships while also winning two gold medals at the University Games (1997 & 1999). He also won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. After his stellar career, he was inducted into the International Fencing Federation Hall of Fame in 2013.
Tucker Leon looks to help lead the Irish in defense of their national championship when the season begins later this fall.
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