Saber Sprouts: Cultivating a New Generation of Fencers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Hundred-degree temperatures, a roof (but no walls) and a weathered fencing strip from 2016 — not exactly the ideal conditions to learn fencing.

But at this makeshift fencing facility in India, a group of young fencers gripped their weapons, their faces glistening with sweat. 

The fencers used all the tools they could to learn, including using a manual for instruction — plus a boundless enthusiasm for the sport.

In this unlikely setting, brothers Jaisimh and Govind Ramanan witnessed something extraordinary.

“What really amazed my brother and me was the enthusiasm and dedication that they brought to every practice,” Jaisimh says. “They were incredibly receptive and hardworking, and considering the conditions that they practiced in, they were amazingly skilled.”

In the often-exclusive world of fencing, the Ramanan brothers are rewriting the narrative. Inspired by what they saw in a city in India in the summer of 2023, they’ve created Saber Sprouts, a group that aims to make fencing accessible to youth who might otherwise never pick up a saber (or foil or epee). 

Their vision stems from deeply personal experiences and a belief that fencing can inspire growth, resilience, and community.

Jaisimh and Govind, both nationally ranked fencers with years of experience training young athletes, founded Saber Sprouts in the Bay Area with a simple but profound mission: to break down barriers in the sport they love.

“We knew that fencing, often perceived as an exclusive and expensive sport, could be made accessible to those who wouldn't traditionally have the opportunity to participate,” Govind says. “This mission became deeply important to us because we believed it would allow us to have a lasting, positive impact on both the fencing community and the kids.”

When the brothers pitched their idea to George Pogosov, the head coach at Cardinal Fencing Club, they found a powerful ally. An Olympic gold and silver medalist and six-time world champion, Pogosov was instantly supportive. 

“He was instantly supportive of offering the class at Cardinal Fencing Club,” Jaisimh says. “We’ve been running Saber Sprouts since then.”

Support for Saber Sprouts extends beyond Pogosov. Coaches like David Bording, who has been with Cardinal Fencing Club since 2015 and has trained multiple national medalists, lend their expertise. Andrey Morozov, a multi-medalist at national events and junior world cups, also contributes, bringing a wealth of academic and practical knowledge to the initiative.

Saber Sprouts isn’t just about teaching fencing techniques. The team also builds a community. 

“There’s something truly special about watching the growth of our students,” Govind says. “Seeing things 'click' for them, like when one of our students figured out how to properly take parries, is incredibly rewarding.”

For the Ramanan brothers, the rewards go beyond technical achievements. 

“The joy and happiness we see on the kids’ faces are unforgettable,” Jaisimh says. “Their smiles, their laughter — even during those seemingly minor moments — make us feel like we’re part of something larger. We’re not just teaching fencing; we’re fostering a love for learning, a belief in one’s own potential, and a sense of belonging within a community.”

While Saber Sprouts is rooted in the Bay Area, its vision is global: make fencing a vastly more accessible sport. Whether through low-cost classes and coaching, soliciting donations of fencing equipment, or even simply spreading awareness, they truly believe that they can better the worldwide fencing community.