During half term, David Perkins (Year 11) and three other U17 fencers won the gold medal for Great Britain in the Belgrade Open Men’s Cadet Epee Team competition. The field comprised 40 national teams from around Europe and the Middle East and the British team had to fight their way through five increasingly tough rounds to gain the trophy. Naturally, the final against the Hungarian team was particularly exciting.

This achievement is all the more remarkable as it is thought to be the first time that Britain has won an U17 international team event. Well done! David (second from left) is a member of Crawley Sword Club and has been fencing for six years. He plans to compete in several more competitions around Europe this autumn/winter and hopes to be selected to represent Great Britain in the World Championships in Dubai next April.