Spencer-El has contributed heavily to Columbia’s success as the Lions have claimed three NCAA Fencing Championships since 2015, including back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
Since Spencer-El began coaching at Columbia, Lions fencers have earned 23 All-America honors in sabre and Nora Burke '23CC captured the individual national championship in 2023.
Ten of the 12 Lions that competed at NCAA Nationals were named to All-American teams, including Doddo and Burke.
On the women's side, first-year Ilana Solomon was named second team All-Ivy after finishing tied for sixth in the event.
Earlier in the year, Solomon was named the CollegeFencing360.com National Rookie of the Week on January 22 following a dominating 17-1 performance with a +50 touch differential at the Penn State Invitational (Jan. 16).
He began his coaching career in 2003 when he initiated the Young Elites of Houston fencing program, a non-profit organization designed for inner-city children.
In 2009, Spencer-El came one step closer to his goal when he earned his Maestro's degree from Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary.
Akhnaten “Akhi” Spencer-El is a 2009 graduate of Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary where he completed his Maestro’s degree.