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{{short description|American fencer and coach}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Mika'il Sankofa
| name = Mika'il Sankofa
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}}
}}


'''Mika'il Sankofa''' (b. '''Michael Lofton''', 10 December 1963 in [[Montgomery, Alabama]]) is a world recognized [[Sabre (fencing)|sabre fencer]] and coach. He competed in the individual and team [[sabre (fencing)|sabre]] events at the [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984]], [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988]] and [[1992 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="sports-reference">{{cite web |url=http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/lo/mike-lofton-1.html |title=Mika'il Sankofa Olympic Results |accessdate=2011-05-21 |work=sports-reference.com}}</ref>
'''Mika'il Sankofa''' (born '''Michael Lofton''', 10 December 1963 in [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]], [[Alabama]]) is a world recognized [[Sabre (fencing)|sabre fencer]] and coach. He competed in the individual and team sabre events at the [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984]], [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988]] and [[1992 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="sports-reference">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/lo/mike-lofton-1.html |title=Mika'il Sankofa Olympic Results |accessdate=2011-05-21 |work=sports-reference.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406133208/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/lo/mike-lofton-1.html |archivedate=2011-04-06 }}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
During his fencing career Mika'il Sankofa trained under [[Tanya Adamovich]], [[Csaba Elthes]], [[Peter Frohlich]], [[Szabo Adrosh]], [[Christian Bauer (fencer)|Christian Bauer]] and [[Lazlo Szepesi]].
During his fencing career, Sankofa trained under [[Tanya Adamovich]], [[Csaba Elthes]], Peter Frohlich, [[Szabo Adrosh]], [[Christian Bauer (fencer)|Christian Bauer]] and [[Lazlo Szepesi]].


A graduate of [[New York University]] with a BA in Economics, Sankofa is a former publicist who has worked for firms such as [[Ernst & Young]], [[Grey Advertising]], [[Kirshenbaum]], [[Bond & Partners]] and [[Shandwick International]].
A graduate of [[New York University]] with a BA in Economics, Sankofa is a former publicist who has worked for firms such as [[Ernst & Young]], [[Grey Advertising]], Kirshenbaum, [[Bond & Partners]] and [[Shandwick International]].


From 1990 - 2009, Sankofa served as co-founder, director of athletics and fencing coach for the [[Peter Westbrook Foundation]].<ref>{{cite news| title=Black Youth Study Under Olympian Peter Westbrook and Become Country's Top Fencers |publisher=Jet Online |date=2004-08-23 |accessdate=2007-05-06 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_8_106/ai_n6173936/pg_1}}</ref> He was responsible for running a year-round class for over 200 participants, including a number of elite-level athletes. Sankofa's students have included three [[NCAA]] champions, five national champions, six junior world team members, the 2005 [[AAU Junior Olympic Games|Junior Olympic]] men's cadet and junior sabre champions, the 2005 Junior Olympic women's sabre champion and the 2005 National cadet men's sabre champion.
From 1990 - 2009, Sankofa served as co-founder, director of athletics and fencing coach for the [[Peter Westbrook Foundation]].<ref>{{cite news| title=Black Youth Study Under Olympian Peter Westbrook and Become Country's Top Fencers |publisher=Jet Online |date=2004-08-23 |accessdate=2007-05-06 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_8_106/ai_n6173936/pg_1}}</ref> He was responsible for running a year-round class for over 200 participants, including a number of elite-level athletes. Sankofa's students have included three [[NCAA]] champions, five national champions, six junior world team members, the 2005 [[AAU Junior Olympic Games|Junior Olympic]] men's cadet and junior sabre champions, the 2005 Junior Olympic women's sabre champion and the 2005 national cadet men's sabre champion.


Sankofa also serves as head fencing coach at the United Nations International School as well as the head sabre coach at the Ross School's summer program in [[East Hampton (town), New York|East Hampton, NY]]. He runs the [http://www.sankofasabrecamp.com/ Sankofa Sabre Camp] in East Hampton, conducts clinics and does color commentary for fencing competitions around the country. In 2006, Sankofa received his Maestro’s degree with honors from [[Semmelweis University]] in Budapest, Hungary.<ref>{{cite news| title=Adventures in a Gray Lamé Electrified Jacket |publisher=[[New York Times]] |date=2007-04-21 |accessdate=2007-05-07 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/21/business/21pursuits.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5088&en=1929c6cf603eff43&ex=1334808000&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss | first=Harry | last=Hurt III}}</ref>
Sankofa also serves as head fencing coach at the United Nations International School as well as the head sabre coach at the Ross School's summer program in [[East Hampton (town), New York|East Hampton, New York]]. He runs the Sankofa Sabre Camp <ref>[http://www.sankofasabrecamp.com/ Sankofa Sabre Camp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706155332/http://www.sankofasabrecamp.com/ |date=2007-07-06 }}</ref> in East Hampton, conducts clinics and does color commentary for fencing competitions around the country.


In 2006, Sankofa received his Maestro’s degree with honors from [[Semmelweis University]] in Budapest, Hungary.<ref>{{cite news| title=Adventures in a Gray Lamé Electrified Jacket |work=[[New York Times]] |date=2007-04-21 |accessdate=2007-05-07 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/21/business/21pursuits.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5088&en=1929c6cf603eff43&ex=1334808000&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss | first=Harry | last=Hurt III}}</ref>
⚫
Sankofa served as the head coach for the [[Stevens Institute of Technology]] Men's fencing team 2005-09.


⚫
Sankofa served as the head coach for the [[Stevens Institute of Technology]] men's fencing team 2005-09.
⚫
Sankofa served as an analyst for [[NBC Sports]] coverage of [[Fencing at the 2008 Summer Olympics]].<ref>[http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/mediumwell/blog/2008/07/your_nbc_olympics_lineup.html Medium Well: Your NBC Olympics lineup - A blog on sports media, news and networks - baltimoresun.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

He currently owns and coaches at Thrust Fencing Academy - Nyack, New York. Thrust Fencing Academy is dedicated to enriching the lives of students age 5- Adult through the Olympic sport of fencing.
⚫
Sankofa served as an analyst for [[NBC Sports]]' coverage of [[fencing at the 2008 Summer Olympics]].<ref>[http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/mediumwell/blog/2008/07/your_nbc_olympics_lineup.html Medium Well: Your NBC Olympics lineup - A blog on sports media, news and networks - baltimoresun.com<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803182204/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/mediumwell/blog/2008/07/your_nbc_olympics_lineup.html |date=August 3, 2008 }}</ref>

He currently owns and coaches a fencing academy in Nyack, New York.


== Records ==
== Records ==
Sankofa had an outstanding career as a competitive sabre fencer. He was a member of the [[United States at the Olympics|United States Olympic Team]] in [[United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics|1984]], [[United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics|1988]] and [[United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics|1992]], and reached the pinnacle of his sport when he captured U.S. national sabre championships in both 1991 and 1992.
Sankofa had an outstanding career as a competitive sabre fencer. He was a member of the [[United States at the Olympics|United States Olympic Team]] in [[United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics|1984]], [[United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics|1988]] and [[United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics|1992]], and reached the pinnacle of his sport when he captured US national sabre championships in both 1991 and 1992.


He took part in the [[Pan-American Games]] as member of Sabre Team Silver in 1987 and 1991. In addition, Sankofa was a ten-time National Team Sabre Champion 1984, '85, '86, '87, '88, '90, '91, '92, '94, and '95.
He took part in the [[Pan-American Games]] as member of Sabre Team Silver in 1987 and 1991. In addition, Sankofa was a ten-time National Team Sabre Champion, in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, and 1995.


Sankofa was also a four-time NCAA champion for the Violets – capturing the sabre title in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.<ref name=USFA>{{cite web |title=USFA Hall of Fame - Mika'il Sankofa |year=2005 |publisher=Fencing on Fairfield Avenue (Shreveport, LA) |url=http://www.fencingonfairfield.com/sankofa_mikail.htm |accessdate=2007-05-06}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> He is the only male fencer to ever win four NCAA individual championships.
Sankofa was also a four-time NCAA champion for the Violets, capturing the sabre title in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.<ref name=USFA>{{cite web |title=USFA Hall of Fame - Mika'il Sankofa |year=2005 |publisher=Fencing on Fairfield Avenue (Shreveport, LA) |url=http://www.fencingonfairfield.com/sankofa_mikail.htm |accessdate=2007-05-06}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> He is the only male fencer to ever win four NCAA individual championships.


== Hall of Fame ==
== Hall of Fame ==
In 1994, he was inducted into the NYU Sports Hall of Fame,<ref>{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame New York University Athletics |publisher=[[New York University]] |url=http://www.nyu.edu/athletics/hof/year.html#1995 |year=1995 |accessdate=2007-05-06}}<br>NOTE: Sankofa is listed under the name Michael Lofton
In 1994, he was inducted into the NYU Sports Hall of Fame,<ref>{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame New York University Athletics |publisher=[[New York University]] |url=http://www.nyu.edu/athletics/hof/year.html#1995 |year=1995 |accessdate=2007-05-06}}<br>NOTE: Sankofa is listed under the name Michael Lofton.
</ref> and in the summer of 2005, he was inducted into the United States Fencing Association Hall of Fame.<ref name=USFA />
</ref> and in the summer of 2005, he was inducted into the United States Fencing Association Hall of Fame.<ref name=USFA />

== Notable Students ==
Notable students include:

*Michael Mills 2009 Junior World Team Member
2009 NAC Junior Sabre Champion
*Luther Clement 2008 NAC Senior Sabre Champion
*Marty Williams, Jr 2008 US National Junior Sabre Champion
*Dan Bak 2008 Junior Olympic Sabre Champion
2008 Junior World Team Member
*Adrian Bak 2008 Junior World Team Member
*Loweye Diedro 2008 Junior World Team Member
*Ras Davidson 2006 Junior World Cadet Men’s Sabre Bronze Medalist
2005 Junior Olympic Sabre Champion (Cadet & Junior)
2004 US National Cadet Sabre Champion
2005, 2006, 2007 U.S. Junior World Team Member

*Adam Crompton, 2003-2004 NCAA Men's Sabre Champion, 2003 Pan-American Sabre Team Champion.

*Ras Davidson, 2005 National Cadet Men's Sabre Champion, 2005 Junior Olympic Cadet Sabre Champion, 2005 Junior Olympic Junior Sabre Champion.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter Westbrook Foundation’s Ras Davidson Wins Bronze Medal At Junior World Fencing Championships |publisher=Peter Westbrook Foundation |date=2006-04-12 |url=http://www.peterwestbrook.org/pressreleases/PWF_2006_Apr12_RasBronze.pdf |accessdate=2007-05-06}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}
</ref>

*Ibitihaj Muhammad, 2005 Junior Olympic Junior Women's Sabre Champion.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ibtihaj Muhammad Wins Junior National Saber Championship |publisher=[[CSTV]] |date=2005-02-22 |url=http://www.cstv.com/sports/c-fenc/stories/022205aac.html |accessdate=2007-05-06}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Fencing]]
* [[United States Fencing Association|USFA]]
* [[United States Fencing Association|USFA]]
* [[USFA Hall of Fame]]
* [[USFA Hall of Fame]]
*[[List of USFA Division I National Champions]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 94: Line 75:


== External links ==
== External links ==
*{{cite web |url=http://www.peterwestbrook.org/coaches_mikail.html |publisher=The Peter Westbrook Foundation |title=Coaches & Staff - Mika'il Sankofa |accessdate=2007-05-06 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070927154107/http://www.peterwestbrook.org/coaches_mikail.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-09-27}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.peterwestbrook.org/coaches_mikail.html |publisher=The Peter Westbrook Foundation |title=Coaches & Staff - Mika'il Sankofa |accessdate=2007-05-06 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927154107/http://www.peterwestbrook.org/coaches_mikail.html |archivedate=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead }}


{{Persondata
| NAME = Sankofa, Mika'il
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =Fencer
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1963-12-10
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Montgomery, Alabama]], United States
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sankofa}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sankofa}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American fencers]]
[[Category:American male sabre fencers]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Montgomery, Alabama]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Montgomery, Alabama]]
⚫
[[Category:Olympic fencers of the United States]]
[[Category:Fencers at the 1984 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Fencers at the 1984 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Fencers at the 1988 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Fencers at the 1988 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Fencers at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Fencers at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
⚫
[[Category:Olympic fencers for the United States]]
[[Category:Fencers at the 1987 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Fencers at the 1991 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Pan American Games silver medalists for the United States in fencing]]
[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States in fencing]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 18:38, 23 November 2024

Mika'il Sankofa
Personal information
Born (1963-12-10) 10 December 1963 (age 60)
Montgomery, Alabama, United States
Sport
SportFencing

Mika'il Sankofa (born Michael Lofton, 10 December 1963 in Montgomery, Alabama) is a world recognized sabre fencer and coach. He competed in the individual and team sabre events at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics.[1]

Background

[edit]

During his fencing career, Sankofa trained under Tanya Adamovich, Csaba Elthes, Peter Frohlich, Szabo Adrosh, Christian Bauer and Lazlo Szepesi.

A graduate of New York University with a BA in Economics, Sankofa is a former publicist who has worked for firms such as Ernst & Young, Grey Advertising, Kirshenbaum, Bond & Partners and Shandwick International.

From 1990 - 2009, Sankofa served as co-founder, director of athletics and fencing coach for the Peter Westbrook Foundation.[2] He was responsible for running a year-round class for over 200 participants, including a number of elite-level athletes. Sankofa's students have included three NCAA champions, five national champions, six junior world team members, the 2005 Junior Olympic men's cadet and junior sabre champions, the 2005 Junior Olympic women's sabre champion and the 2005 national cadet men's sabre champion.

Sankofa also serves as head fencing coach at the United Nations International School as well as the head sabre coach at the Ross School's summer program in East Hampton, New York. He runs the Sankofa Sabre Camp [3] in East Hampton, conducts clinics and does color commentary for fencing competitions around the country.

In 2006, Sankofa received his Maestro’s degree with honors from Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary.[4]

Sankofa served as the head coach for the Stevens Institute of Technology men's fencing team 2005-09.

Sankofa served as an analyst for NBC Sports' coverage of fencing at the 2008 Summer Olympics.[5]

He currently owns and coaches a fencing academy in Nyack, New York.

Records

[edit]

Sankofa had an outstanding career as a competitive sabre fencer. He was a member of the United States Olympic Team in 1984, 1988 and 1992, and reached the pinnacle of his sport when he captured US national sabre championships in both 1991 and 1992.

He took part in the Pan-American Games as member of Sabre Team Silver in 1987 and 1991. In addition, Sankofa was a ten-time National Team Sabre Champion, in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, and 1995.

Sankofa was also a four-time NCAA champion for the Violets, capturing the sabre title in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.[6] He is the only male fencer to ever win four NCAA individual championships.

Hall of Fame

[edit]

In 1994, he was inducted into the NYU Sports Hall of Fame,[7] and in the summer of 2005, he was inducted into the United States Fencing Association Hall of Fame.[6]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mika'il Sankofa Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-06. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
  2. ^ "Black Youth Study Under Olympian Peter Westbrook and Become Country's Top Fencers". Jet Online. 2004-08-23. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
  3. ^ Sankofa Sabre Camp Archived 2007-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Hurt III, Harry (2007-04-21). "Adventures in a Gray Lamé Electrified Jacket". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  5. ^ Medium Well: Your NBC Olympics lineup - A blog on sports media, news and networks - baltimoresun.com Archived August 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b "USFA Hall of Fame - Mika'il Sankofa". Fencing on Fairfield Avenue (Shreveport, LA). 2005. Retrieved 2007-05-06. [dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Hall of Fame New York University Athletics". New York University. 1995. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
    NOTE: Sankofa is listed under the name Michael Lofton.
[edit]
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