Amy pursues Olympic goal (From Dudley News)

Amy pursues Olympic goal

3:00pm Friday 18th December 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

LOCAL epee fencer Amy Radford is hoping the future points to a double success.

One goal is the 2012 London Olympics, the other is to do well next June in her GCSE’s.

Currently in year 11 at Haybridge High School, Hagley, Amy has to juggle her fencing with her school work, but at just 15 years old she is already the under 17 British No 1 and double UKSG Gold Medallist.

She has just made it into the British Senior Women’s Epee top ten rankings– ninth spot – after a string of good results at major events – including seventh at the Senior Welsh Open and fifth at the London Open. Also at an International Cadet (U17) event in Heidenheim, Germany, she came 20th in a worldwide entry of more than 250. And then last week, on home ground, Amy became the youngest winner of the Hereford and Worcester Open, held at Thorne Community College. She is pictured with the trophy above.

As a team of four is expected to go to the 2012 games, Amy’s progress over the next two years will be crucial to her chances of selection and the recent successes guarantee her a place to represent Great Britain at the Cadet European Championships in Athens next March and the Cadet World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, the following month.

Competing abroad is very expensive but essential for experience and Amy and her parents are grateful to have received £500 for 2008/09 from Asda, Brierley Hill, in association with Sport Aid.

Matt Haynes, Amy’s coach at Haybridge and Malvern Fencing Club, is very proud of her achievements.

He said: “In an environment where, because of her age, she is not eligible for many funding programmes and where a number of athletes are funded, with others receiving scholarships associated with the 2012 Olympic Games, Amy is proof that when it comes to sporting success, hard work and desire still take priority over the pound.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)