Asda Athletes

At last, the news I’ve been waiting for. After five years of training and competition I’ve been selected for the foil team at the 2012 Paralympic games. So proud to have made it!

Well, April flew by and it’s time for an update on the last two competitions.
At the ‘Challenge International Des Joinvillais’ in Antibes we had 31 epee fencers from France, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Canada and GB. In the first round poule I had five victories and one defeat, seeding me second, which was where I came in the final! A close fight which ended 15/13 and could have gone either way, a good resultfor me up from 5th last year. Although an international competition, it isn’t part of the IWAS circuit and carries no world ranking points.

Next to the Montreal World Cup. This didn’t start well with a three hour flight delay, but 24 hours later came the best result of my fencing career! In the closest of matches I overcame Frolov of Russia 15/14 to take my place in the last four and a bronze medal. This is the first GB wheelchair fencing medal for two years and the first in mens epee for more than twenty.

For now, it’s back to training for the next World Cup in Italy.

It’s been a busy year so far! We’ve increased the training again and had three competitions, Stoke Mandeville, Malchow Germany (final 2012 qualifying event) and the Tournie De Villemomble in Paris. With a win, a second and a couple of solid last 32’s, I’m really looking forward to the ‘Challenge International Des Joinvillais’ in France and World Cup in Montreal, both before the end of April.

A huge ‘Thank You’ to Asda for supporting me this Paralympic year, sure to be the most important in my fencing career.