Balazs Kurucz

Biography

The Penn State Nittany Lion men’s and women’s fencing teams, under the guidance of Matteo Zennaro, has announced the hiring of Balazs Kurucz as assistant coach as the 2024-25 season commenced. The former Hungarian European Medalist and coach is now in his second season as the saber coach for the Nittany Lions. Balazs comes to Penn State from Great Britain where he has served as one of the nation’s most successful club coaches. He also served as the lead coach for the Great Britain Junior Women’s Saber Team. Prior to heading to the U.K. in 2012, Balazs coached in Hungary at across all age levels, from U11 to seniors. During his coaching career, Balazs’ athletes achieved the highest levels of success, from Junior World Gold Medals to Cadet and Junior European medal finishes. He helped guide fencers to multiple medals at Cadet European Circuit and Cadet World Championship events. Balazs began fending at a young age in Godollo, Hungary, where he became a multiple time medalist at the Hungarian National Championships in the youth age categories. He went on to earn European gold medals at the U17 level in 1995 and 1996.