Photo by: Brown Athletics
Women’s Fencing Finalizes Coaching Staff
10/29/2025 9:19:00 AM | Fencing
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Brown women's fencing head coach Kai Liu has announced the additions of İrem Ülkü and Bin Huang as assistant coaches.
"It is an incredible honor to have Coach Ülkü with us at Brown," Liu said. "Her passion for saber coaching and sports research alongside her commitment to her students will elevate our saber program to new heights."
Ülkü has a distinguished career in fencing as both an athlete and coach. In 2001, she made history by winning Turkey's first-ever Women's Sabre medal at the Balkan Championships, placing 3rd individually and 2nd with her team. She represented the Turkish National Team from 1999 to 2006, ranking among the top 64 at World Championships and top 32 at European Championships in the Cadet-Junior categories.
Ülkü began coaching in 2007 and has guided athletes to national championships in Turkey and medals at international tournaments. Her student Deniz Selin Ünlüdağ won the Under-23 European Championship team title in 2017 and became European Champion in Cadet and Junior categories in 2018.
She served as the Head Coach for Turkey's Cadet Men's Sabre National Team (2003–2006) and the Veterans Men's Sabre National Team (2018–2019, 2021). She earned the Technical Director certificate from the Turkish Ministry of Sports and the Turkish Fencing Federation in 2021, received an Honor Award at the International Sports Awards in 2022, and has been an F.I.E. International Referee officiating World Cup semifinals and finals since 2003.
From 2023 to 2025, she coached at Tim Morehouse Fencing Club in New York, developing a strong program with athletes regularly medaling regionally and competing at the Summer National Championships. Since May 2025, she has been serving as Elite Saber Coach at Zeta Fencing Club. She has been recognized as Maître de Sabre by the USA Fencing Coaches Association and serves on as well as the Sports Performance Resource Committee of USA Fencing.
Coach Ülkü holds a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management (Ege University, Turkey), a Master's in Coaching, Sports, and Health Sciences (Celal Bayar University, Turkey), and is currently a Ph.D. candidate researching fencing performance and sports biomechanics, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international science congresses.
"We are thrilled to have Coach Huang join our team," Liu added. "His work ethic, dedication, and pursuit of excellence in coaching is the greatest win for our foil program."
A 2023, graduate of Boston College, Bin was a three-time NCAA Fencing National Championships qualifier, and a two time US Fencing Collegiate Association Second Team All-American (2020 & 2021). In the classroom, Bin was named ACC All-Academic all four years.
He was the recipient of the "Most Valuable Performer Award" at Boston College following the 2021-22 season, he also mentored first year student-athletes on leadership principles in both academic and athletic settings. He was also the fencing representative for the Boston College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee where he served as the liaison between the Athletic Department and over 40 student-athletes.
At Star Fencing Academy as a foil coach, Bin instructed over 50 students aged 7-17 and delivered an average of 120 private and group lessons weekly. He designed and led engaging training programs that built individual technical skills, tactical awareness, and physical conditioning. He also provided strip coaching at local, regional, and national competitions, guiding athletes in strategy and focus while providing in-bout adjustments. He also supported student development through individualized feedback, goal setting, and performance tracking.
Brown will begin the 2025-26 season at the Vassar Invitational on Sunday, Nov. 9.
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"It is an incredible honor to have Coach Ülkü with us at Brown," Liu said. "Her passion for saber coaching and sports research alongside her commitment to her students will elevate our saber program to new heights."
Ülkü has a distinguished career in fencing as both an athlete and coach. In 2001, she made history by winning Turkey's first-ever Women's Sabre medal at the Balkan Championships, placing 3rd individually and 2nd with her team. She represented the Turkish National Team from 1999 to 2006, ranking among the top 64 at World Championships and top 32 at European Championships in the Cadet-Junior categories.
Ülkü began coaching in 2007 and has guided athletes to national championships in Turkey and medals at international tournaments. Her student Deniz Selin Ünlüdağ won the Under-23 European Championship team title in 2017 and became European Champion in Cadet and Junior categories in 2018.
She served as the Head Coach for Turkey's Cadet Men's Sabre National Team (2003–2006) and the Veterans Men's Sabre National Team (2018–2019, 2021). She earned the Technical Director certificate from the Turkish Ministry of Sports and the Turkish Fencing Federation in 2021, received an Honor Award at the International Sports Awards in 2022, and has been an F.I.E. International Referee officiating World Cup semifinals and finals since 2003.
From 2023 to 2025, she coached at Tim Morehouse Fencing Club in New York, developing a strong program with athletes regularly medaling regionally and competing at the Summer National Championships. Since May 2025, she has been serving as Elite Saber Coach at Zeta Fencing Club. She has been recognized as Maître de Sabre by the USA Fencing Coaches Association and serves on as well as the Sports Performance Resource Committee of USA Fencing.
Coach Ülkü holds a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management (Ege University, Turkey), a Master's in Coaching, Sports, and Health Sciences (Celal Bayar University, Turkey), and is currently a Ph.D. candidate researching fencing performance and sports biomechanics, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international science congresses.
"We are thrilled to have Coach Huang join our team," Liu added. "His work ethic, dedication, and pursuit of excellence in coaching is the greatest win for our foil program."
A 2023, graduate of Boston College, Bin was a three-time NCAA Fencing National Championships qualifier, and a two time US Fencing Collegiate Association Second Team All-American (2020 & 2021). In the classroom, Bin was named ACC All-Academic all four years.
He was the recipient of the "Most Valuable Performer Award" at Boston College following the 2021-22 season, he also mentored first year student-athletes on leadership principles in both academic and athletic settings. He was also the fencing representative for the Boston College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee where he served as the liaison between the Athletic Department and over 40 student-athletes.
At Star Fencing Academy as a foil coach, Bin instructed over 50 students aged 7-17 and delivered an average of 120 private and group lessons weekly. He designed and led engaging training programs that built individual technical skills, tactical awareness, and physical conditioning. He also provided strip coaching at local, regional, and national competitions, guiding athletes in strategy and focus while providing in-bout adjustments. He also supported student development through individualized feedback, goal setting, and performance tracking.
Brown will begin the 2025-26 season at the Vassar Invitational on Sunday, Nov. 9.
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the backbone of our athletics program, playing a crucial role in enhancing the student-athlete experience. This is possible through philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, fans, and friends. Your gift through the Sports Foundation can immediately impact today's Brown Bears, helping them excel in the classroom, in competition, and, most importantly, in the community. Please click here to learn more about how you can support the Bears.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on X and @BrownU_Bears on Instagram. Like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
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