By Nick Butler

Zoran Tulum will hope to improve on the two quarter-final slots of US sabre fencers, including Daryl Homer, at London 2012 ©AFP/Getty ImagesJanuary 8 - USA Fencing has completed its lineup of national fencing coaches ahead of Rio 2016 by announcing Zoran Tulum at the helm of the men's sabre team.


After coaches were selected last month in men's and women's foil, men's and women's épée, women's sabre and wheelchair fencing, the appointment of Tulum completes the list and is being made with the target of Olympic medals firmly in mind.

A coach of the Atlanta 1996 US Olympic team, Tulum led the squad at the 2013 Junior World Championships and has also presided over medal winning teams at events, including the Pan American Games and the Summer Universiade.

He will assume his position immediately as he targets building upon the recent fortunes of the team.

At London 2012 two US sabre fencers, in Tim Morehouse and Daryl Homer, each reached the quarter-finals before the team finished in eighth place in the team event.

There will only be individual chances on offer in Rio after the team competition was dropped from the programme at last year's FIE Congress, but after the US men won their first ever individual world title courtesy of foil fencer Miles Chamley-Watson in 2013, confidence is high of more success across the disciplines.

This was something suggested by USA Fencing director of sports performance and development Kate Reisinger, when she described being "thrilled to welcome Tulum as the men's sabre national coach."

"We are confident in his ability to lead our athletes and coaches in a very positive direction towards success at the highest level," she added.

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