Nikolay Ivanov Mateev
Nikolay Mateev has devoted more than fifty years to the sport of fencing as an elite athlete, maître d’armes, international referee, and sport administrator. His rare, all-encompassing experience across competition, officiating, coaching, and governance has established him as one of the most respected figures in European and international fencing.
As a competitor, he achieved outstanding results at the highest level, including over fifteen Bulgarian national titles, the Junior Balkan Championship, multiple Balkan team victories, and silver medals in team sabre at the 1987 Senior World Championships in Lausanne and the 1985 Universiade in Kobe. His career was recognized by the Bulgarian Ministry of Youth and Sports with the titles Master of Sports of Fencing and Distinguished Master of Sports of Fencing.
After relocating to Iceland in 1991, Mr. Mateev played a decisive role in building the sport nationally, growing fencing from fewer than ten athletes to a structured federation with multiple clubs and more than 500 fencers. He founded the Nordic Sabre Center in Reykjavík and has served as President of the Icelandic Fencing Federation, shaping athlete development, coaching education, and international engagement.
Beyond sport, Mr. Mateev is a Senior Engineer with over twenty years of experience in geothermal engineering, contributing to the design and optimization of major renewable energy projects. At the European and International levels, he has served extensively within the EFC and FIE, including COMEX membership, commission leadership roles, and the creation of the widely recognized referee education program “Get Ready for the New Season.”
Nikolay Mateev has devoted more than fifty years to the sport of fencing as an elite athlete, maître d’armes, international referee, and sport administrator. His rare, all-encompassing experience across competition, officiating, coaching, and governance has established him as one of the most respected figures in European and international fencing.
As a competitor, he achieved outstanding results at the highest level, including over fifteen Bulgarian national titles, the Junior Balkan Championship, multiple Balkan team victories, and silver medals in team sabre at the 1987 Senior World Championships in Lausanne and the 1985 Universiade in Kobe. His career was recognized by the Bulgarian Ministry of Youth and Sports with the titles Master of Sports of Fencing and Distinguished Master of Sports of Fencing.
After relocating to Iceland in 1991, Mr. Mateev played a decisive role in building the sport nationally, growing fencing from fewer than ten athletes to a structured federation with multiple clubs and more than 500 fencers. He founded the Nordic Sabre Center in Reykjavík and has served as President of the Icelandic Fencing Federation, shaping athlete development, coaching education, and international engagement.
Beyond sport, Mr. Mateev is a Senior Engineer with over twenty years of experience in geothermal engineering, contributing to the design and optimization of major renewable energy projects. At the European and International levels, he has served extensively within the EFC and FIE, including COMEX membership, commission leadership roles, and the creation of the widely recognized referee education program “Get Ready for the New Season.”