The Golden Age of Notre Dame Fencing
Don’t look now, but Notre Dame has become the fencing school.
For the fourth time in the last five years—and the sixth in the last nine—Notre Dame Fencing stands on top of the college fencing world, winning the program’s 14th NCAA team national championship earlier this spring. Only one program remains ahead of the Irish on the all-time titles list, and with the championship culture established by head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia, no record is safe. Tune in to meet Notre Dame Fencing’s humble and inspiring leader, and get ready to cheer on the Fighting Irish as they pursue their 15th national title at the 2026 NCAA Fencing Championships, hosted right here at Notre Dame.
Experience the Episode
Don’t look now, but Notre Dame has become the fencing school.
For the fourth time in the last five years—and the sixth in the last nine—Notre Dame Fencing stands on top of the college fencing world, winning the program’s 14th NCAA team national championship earlier this spring. Only one program remains ahead of the Irish on the all-time titles list, and with the championship culture established by head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia, no record is safe.
In this episode of For Good, Coach Gia reflects on the traditions and values that define his team and shares how Notre Dame Athletics’ most global program continues to form champions both on and off the fencing strip.
Tune in to meet Notre Dame Fencing’s humble and inspiring leader, and get ready to cheer on the Fighting Irish as they pursue their 15th national title at the 2026 NCAA Fencing Championships, hosted right here at Notre Dame.
This episode was originally released on May 22, 2025. To explore more, please visit their website.
Meet the Coach: Gia Kvaratskhelia
Gia Kvaratskhelia has led Notre Dame Fencing to six national championships since becoming head coach in 2014. A foil specialist and U.S. citizen by way of Georgia, he joined the Irish staff in 2007 and has developed one of the top foil programs in the country. Named National Coach of the Year multiple times, Kvaratskhelia has produced numerous All-Americans and NCAA individual champions. Prior to Notre Dame, he built Kanza Fencing Club into a national power. Known for his leadership and communication skills, he holds degrees from Georgian State Physical Training Institute and Tbilisi State University.
