During his athletic career, Coach Kizik was a finalist and medalist in numerous Ukrainian and Soviet national tournaments in both individual and team competitions. In the 1978 USSR Student Olympiad (similar to NCAA), he placed fifth in individual and first in team sabre competition.

Coach Kizik earned the title, "Master of Sport in Fencing," in 1980 and began coaching fencers in 1983. In 1990 he relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he prepared a number of advance level athletes. In 2001 he began coaching in Indianapolis, and developed the Indysabre program.

In addition to his competitive experience and training and his professional degree, Coach Kizik has completed courses and numerous seminars and workshops in pedagogic and sport training methods. He is a member of the USFCA and is a FOC rated fencing referee.