About Us

Tony began Fencing in 1991, starting with French Foil and Hungarian saber. His unwavering commitment to the art of Fencing propelled him to earn the prestigious certification of Provost at Arms in Classical Italian foil, saber, and epee from the San Jose State’s Fencing Masters Program. Tony's pursuit of Fencing extended beyond conventional boundaries, encompassing rapier, side sword, heavy saber, longsword, and even foot combat in full armor. Tony's martial arts journey began with traditional disciplines like Shotokan Karate and Tae Kwon Do, laying a solid foundation for his understanding of combat and discipline. As he delved deeper into Fencing, his exploration expanded to include diverse martial art forms such as Aikido, Jujitsu, Kendo, Escrima, and Iaido. This parallel pursuit became a cornerstone of his expertise, allowing him to draw from an eclectic blend of training. Tony's journey culminated in developing a comprehensive understanding that bridged various martial arts, serving as a unifying scholarly foundation. This knowledge empowered him to interpret historical Italian fencing treatises with unparalleled depth and insight. Fueled by boundless knowledge and passion, Tony was inspired to establish the Italian Renaissance Swordsmanship Academy (IRSA), assuming the pivotal role of Head Coach. IRSA is a living testament to his dedication to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of Italian swordsmanship. At IRSA, Tony is a mentor and guide, shaping the next generation of martial artists. The academy offers a comprehensive curriculum spanning various Historical European Martial Arts, including dagger, heavy saber, rapier, side sword, small sword, longsword, and grappling techniques. Each weapon has its own intricacies, requiring finesse and precise techniques. Beyond his role at IRSA, Tony generously contributes his expertise to furthering the art of Fencing and swordsmanship. His advisory role to the Sonoma State Fencing Master’s Program and his position as an instructor at the Atlanta Rapier and Saber Pedagogy retreat underscore his passion for sharing knowledge and advancing the understanding of these martial arts on a broader

TBA

Tina is an assistant instructor at the Italian Renaissance Swordsmanship Academy under Provost Tony Barajas. She has been fencing HEMA for eight years and classical Italian for two years. She is an instructor’s candidate at the Fencing Master’s Certificate Program at Sonoma State University scheduled to take my exam in the summer of 2024. She specializes in smallsword, saber, foil, and epee.