Owner / Founder, Apex Fencing Academy, Professional Member of US Fencing Association
Fencing has always been part of Coach Kriszti Hovanyi’s life. Her dad was her first coach. Both her parents were on the fencing team in college. When her family immigrated to Sweden, she was coached by the famous Hungarian coach Bela Rerrich. Competition was the part she enjoyed the most and she became a Foil National Junior Silver Medalist and represented Sweden when competing internationally. She attended the Ohio State University on a full athletic scholarship and graduated with a BSBA in International Business and Economics. While at OSU, she served as team captain, became two-time Big 10 Champion and two-time NCAA All-American. She met her husband Igor Moreno at OSU, who was also on the fencing team. After some time away from fencing and starting a family, together they founded Apex Fencing Academy in 2010.
Coach Hovanyi was a volunteer assistant coach during two seasons for the UNC Tarheels under Coach Ronald Miller, who is not just her mentor but also the person who encouraged her the most to return to the sport as a coach.
Coach Hovanyi’s focus is not only to teach fencing, but to help fencers achieve their goals, prepare for college fencing and find a college where the fencers can continue the sport and have a great college experience. “The most rewarding part of coaching is to introduce a fencer to competition and help them discover and learn the tactical and mental part of the game.”