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Zivkovic Modern Fencing Equipment ("ZMFE") has been serving the needs of individuals and institutions involved in the sport of fencing for more than three decades. Over the years, the company has grown in size and reputation and is widely known as one of the foremost innovators of equipment for the sport.
Founded by Branimir Zivkovic in 1972 under the name Rent-A-Blade, the company's original purpose was to rent out equipment such as foils, masks and body cords to high schools and colleges in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.
The company changed its focus a few years later upon the invention of the World's first FIE approved perforated-aluminum fencing strip in 1974, thus becoming an all-inclusive retailer of fencing equipment.
Recognizing the quality and detail of the goods and services produced by ZMFE, the FIE and the Canadian Olympic Committee chose the company to supply for the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, the company's first major milestone.
Zivkovic Modern Fencing Equipment has continued to innovate over the years, bringing such products to market as the world's first FIE-approved transparent mask in 1995 and a second FIE-approved model in 1998, ergonomically-designed handles, and plastic fencing sets, and a round fencing strip. In fact, ZMFE holds seven FIE certificates on new, modern equipment that never previously existed and one U.S. trade dress - more than the rest of the world's manufacturers combined:
- Perforated Aluminum Fencing Strip, 1976 - World's FIE first
- Fencing Reel, 1977 - U.S.' first
- Transparent Mask, 1995 - World's FIE first, U.S. trade dress
- Transparent Mask, 1998 - World's FIE first
- Foil Guard with Safety Channel, 2002 - World's FIE first
- Epee Guard with Safety Channel, 2003 - World's FIE first
- Perforated Aluminum Fencing Strip with lights and advertising panels, 2003 - World's FIE first
ZMFE's mission is to always think of new ideas and items to propel the sport to higher levels of visibility, design, and professionalism.
Please click here for a list of professional involvement.
About Branimir Zivkovic
Branimir Zivkovic, Founder and President of Zivkovic Modern Fencing Equipment, has had a storied career first as a fencer, then as master, and finally as business owner.
Starting from a very young age, one of his more notable initial achievements early in his fencing career was becoming the first fencer from the former Yugoslavia to ever break into the top 24 in the world in 1953 - no small feat for a 22-year-old.
He also became national champion of the former Yugoslavia for both foil and epee in 1950 and 1955 and earned the title of International Fencing Master in 1953. He has represented the country more than fifty times between 1950-58.
During that time he studied at Salle Pierre Lacaze in Paris while current FIE President Rene Roch was a member. He also studied with famous masters including Dante Galante (Italy), Jean Gravelet (France), and Maestro Kevey (Hungary).
After coming to the United States in 1958, Branimir began teaching at clubs and colleges in the tri-state area, such as Salle Santelli, West Point Military Academy, Columbia University, and the Trinity School, among others. Maestro George Santelli was in fact his mentor and sponsor to become a U.S. citizen.
His longest teaching experience was at Harvard University from 1976-99 where he led the men's and women's teams to numerous individual and team championships and received many coaching awards, including U.S. Fencing Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1992. He was also responsible for bringing women into the IFA's, the oldest intercollegiate fencing tournament in the country, which was previously men-only. Two trophies donated by Branimir for the women's foil and epee teams commemorate this achievement.
After retiring from Harvard, Branimir has been focusing on running his business and continuing to bring new ideas to the sport. He looks forward to improving and promoting the sport in as many ways possible.
Most recently, a tournament he started in 1955 - the Trophy of Belgrade - was added to the FIE calendar.
Branimir is a Life Member of the International Fencing Masters Association, the United States Fencing Coaches Association, and the Yugoslav Fencing Federation. He is also a member of the USFA and has been the representative of world manufacturers for the FIE-SEMI in 1995 and in 1996 at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
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