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JOAQUIN MAXIMO TACK-FANG

11490 SW 80 Terrace,

Miami, FL, 33173

Tel: 305.595.4096

Title:      Fencing Master (USFCA)

Education:  Postgraduate degrees in Sports Psychology and in Sports Theory and Methodology, ISCF Manuel Fajardo, Havana, Cuba. 1985

Bachelors’ degree in Sports and Physical Education (Diplomate) ISCF, 1984.

Experience: Fencing Instructor at Centro de Alto Rendimiento (Center for Advanced Athletic Performance and Development) located in Cerro Pelado, Havana, Cuba

• Attended several professional development courses for fencing instructors in saber and foil at the national and international level.

• Taught courses for saber instructors at the international level, which were organized by the Confederacion Centroamericana de Esgrima (Centro American fencing federation), as well as seminars (practice and methodology) for trainers and instructors.

• Participated in five scientific and technical symposia on fencing at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento, Cerro Pelado.

• Participated in professional and scientific conferences on fencing sponsored by the Instituto Superior de Cultura Fisica “Manuel Fajardo” (Institute of Physical Education).

• Conducted a study on the perception of time by members of the saber fencing team.

• Served as academic advisor to candidates of the graduate program on physical education.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

I have 35 years experience as fencing trainer, instructor, and master.  Prior to this, I was a Physical Education teacher for seven years.

I began my professional career as a high school physical education teacher. I then went to work as trainer of a special fencing team at the “Municipio 10 de Octubre”. As a result of my accomplishments in this and other endeavors, I was promoted to the “Escuela de Iniciacion Deportiva Escolar” (introductory school for academic sports) where I worked for the next seven years. During these years, my team was top ranked in both singles and team saber competitions. As a result of my success, I was chosen to provide technical assistance to the Mexican government for a period of six months.  In Mexico, I trained the pre-selection fencing team for the national competition, as well as the junior team. Upon a request of the Mexican Olympic Committee, I trained the Mexican Armed Forces’ Fencing Team during 1979. This team went on to win the National Championship that same year, and I received official recognition for this accomplishment from the Mexican Olympic Committee.

I then took the junior fencing team to South Bend, IN where we competed in the Junior’s World Championship, while the senior fencing team went on to compete in the Campeonato Centroamericano de Esgrima (Centro-American Fencing Championship) where they took 2^nd place (by country).

Upon my return, I was promoted to train Cuba’s national junior saber team at the Escuela Superior de Perfeccionamiento Atletico (Higher Institute of Advanced Athletic Training). My team placed first at several national championships, and on five occasions participated in the Juegos Juveniles de la Amistad (Friendship Youth Games).  The principal members of this team went on to take first place in the Campeonatos Centroamericanos de Mayores (Senior Centro-American Championships). In 1987 my team placed 7^th in the World Junior Fencing Championship. As a result of my accomplishments in the sport of fencing, I was appointed to the Cuban National Saber Fencing Team, where I obtained the following:

• Took the top three places at the Centro-American Championships and Panamerican Games (teams and singles competition).

• Centro-American Fencing Championship (Guatemala) 1^st place (singles and team).

• Pan American Games (Indianapolis, Indiana) 2^nd place (singles and team).

• Centro-American Fencing Championship (Salinas, Puerto Rico) 1^st place (singles and team).

• Centro-American Games (Mexico), 1^st place.

• Pan-American Games (1991-Havana, Cuba) 2^nd place – team, 1^st place-individual.

• Sabadell – Spain (1991) 2^nd place (singles and team).

• World Cup (New York – 1992) 4^th place (team).

• Univ. of Buffalo (1993), 7^th place.

• Pan American Games (Buenos Aires, Argentina) 2^nd place (singles and team).

• Centro-American Games (Ponce, Puerto Rico – 1993) 1^st place

• 1995 Pre-Olympic games (eliminatory competition), 2^nd place.

• 1996 Centro-American Championships (Havana, Cuba) top three places.

During 1997 I worked with the Mexican National Fencing Team as Chief Instructor, and headed the CIMA project for high athletic performance.

I was Chief Instructor of the saber team at the World Cup in Boston and Havana (1998-1999), where my team obtained very good results, in addition to the 1997 NAC in Florida, during which they also did very well.

From 1997-2000, the members of my saber team, both junior and senior, took top honors in Mexico. During this period I was also an advisor to the Federacion de Esgrima de Mejico (Mexican Fencing Federation).

I was an official arbitrator at the World Cup and World Championships in modern pentathlon during 1998, 1999, and 2000. I am an official arbitrator in foil, saber, and epee.

During 1998, I was training director of the Cuban Fencing Team that competed at the Centro-American Championship, held in Maracaibo, Venezuela, taking 3rd place (by country) and winning a total of seven medals, with two bronze medals in saber.

During 1999, my team competed at the Pan American Games, held in Winnipeg, Canada, winning two bronze medals.

In addition to the above, I have participated in two world collegiate championships, and have been working with Cuba’s National Saber Team form 1987 until September 2000.

From August 2001 to the present, I have been working with Dade County’s Parks and Recreation Department developing a fencing program for the entire county. I have coordinated several exhibitions and competitions, while imparting fencing lessons in several of the county’s parks and addressing all matters related to the sport, including the armory function, i.e. to ensure that all equipment is in good working condition so as to prevent the likelihood of accidents.

INDIVIDUAL ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

I was a member of Cuba’s National Fencing Team from 1965 to 1973. During this time I participated in several national and international competitions where I obtained the following:

• Three times, I was National Champion in saber, twice in foil.

• National Junior Champion in both saber and foil.

• Took 1^st and 2^nd place at the 1966 Centro-American Games (Puerto Rico), and 1970 Centro-American Games (Panama).

• Took 5^th place at the 1973 World Collegiate Championship (Moscow, USSR).

• I was member of the team that competed in the 1969 World Cup (Havana, Cuba), and in the 1967 Pre-Olympic games in Mexico.

• I was a member of the Cuban Olympic Fencing Team that competed at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

• I competed in major fencing tournaments, such as the Moscow’s Cup, Hungary’s Cup, Balaton Tournament, finalist in saber and foil, Carpathian Mountain Tournament in Rumania, Bolowski’s Saber Tournament in Poland, as well as two World Junior Championships in Budapest (1964), Holland (1965) and the Sofia Cup (Bulgaria).

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

I am an international arbitrator and referee in foil, saber, and epee since 1984, when I obtained certification at the Villa de La Habana Tournament.

I have worked as arbitrator and referee in several national and international tournaments.

I have participated as member or the technical staff in the collegiate and junior fencing tournaments, and at the international fencing tournaments “Ramon Fonst”.

I have been on the appeals committee at several tournaments and competitions.