Yury Gelman, born in Kiev, Ukraine on October 13, 1955, graduated from Kiev State University of Physical Education in 1977. He served in the military until 1979 before embarking on a career as a sabre coach. His students have represented both the Ukrainian and Soviet National Teams. In 1991, he was honored with the title of Honored Coach of Ukraine. In the December 1991, Yury Gelman immigrated to the United States with his family. He commenced his coaching career in New York Fencers Club in October 1992 and subsequently established Manhattan Fencing Center in 2007, where he continues to work. Additionally, he assumed the role of Head Coach at St. John’s University in 1995. Throughout his illustrious career, Yury Gelman has served as a seven-time Olympic coach, guiding his students from the 2000 Sydney Olympics to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Seven of his students have achieved Olympic medals, including Keeth Smart, Daryl Homer, Dagmara Wozniak, Monica Aksamit, James Williams, Tim Morehouse, and Feres Ferjani. Yury Gelman’s students have secured 21 individual titles at the US National Championships, 19 NCAA individual championships, and he has consistently had students representing various national teams since 1993 until 2026. During his head coaching career in St. John’s team won National title in 2001, five times was runner up, seven times took third place, three times took fourth place and 27 fencers won NCAA individual championships. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to fencing, Yury Gelman has been inducted into both the US Fencing Hall of Fame and the St. John’s University Hall of Fame.