Age 20
Weight 88kg
Height 1.9m
2008 Olympic record
39th in the men’s individual sabre
Target for 2012
“I would really like to get a medal. I know it will mean a lot of hard work, but when I think about where I was four years ago, I have definitely improved so
it’s not impossible.”
I’m currently in my last year at Cambridge studying classics; my course takes my mind off fencing. I do go out from time to time, but if I have training the next day I don’t drink at all, because I need to be able to perform to the best of my ability in every session.
I was terrible at football at school, so I started fencing just because it was on offer. I used to have lucky T-shirts — I’d wear one for seven months at a time — but I’ve grown out of that. Now I just make sure my kit is washed and neatly packed away. I like to be well turned out. The weight of the kit isn’t a problem — it’s something you get used to from a young age.
Generally I just eat stuff with a low-fat content. However, earlier this year, I met with a nutritionist at the training camp who told me I needed to eat more red meat for protein and drink milk after training
for protein and hydration.
Fencing is very personal. At university I train with a team, but in competitions I fence solo. I have to rely on myself. I’m the only one who can mess it up, so it’s up to me to iron out any problems and correct anything that goes wrong. I thrive on that pressure.
My typical week
Monday
I have a two-hour gym session. Warm-up and stretches followed by
weightlifting and an ab circuit to built core stability. More stretching.
Tuesday
Two-and-a-half hour training session, starting with a warm-up, followed by one-to-one fencing.
Wednesday
Fencing practice for 1½ hours with a 15-minute warm-up and warm-down.
Thursday
Three-hour training session, starting with a minute warm-up and stretches. The session includes a 30-minute footwork drill, an hour of fencing followed by a general fitness routine (football or basketball).
Friday
Usually spent travelling to London to meet my coach. The hardest part of training is all the travelling . Now I’ve got a car it’s easier, but it’s quite tiring doing all that driving.
Saturday
I have competitions every other weekend, so if it’s a non-competition weekend I like to catch up on my university work. Or head down the gym, if I haven’t done much of that in the week
Sunday
I have 2½ hours fencing training. Then rest.
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