World plan for DEFENCE

A Southport teenager will represent Great Britain at the Fencing World Championships in China.

- BY MATT JONES Sports Reporter

Seventeen-year-old Katy Hawthorne began fencing nearly six years ago during a free lunch time club at school.

This month, she’ll be competing on the world stage in Wuxi.

Taking place from 7-15 April, the Cadet World Championships will see young athletes compete for titles in foil, épée, and sabre fencing.

“I’m so excited to be competing in China,” said Katy who’ll be competing in the épée category.

“It’s a big opportunity, and I’ve mostly only competed in Europe before.

“Going to China is going to be a real eye-opener. I’ll be seeing everyone else competing and how different people fence, and of course the fence, too. I’m just super excited and happy that I got this opportunity to go.”

But fencing, and traveling to compete, can be expensive. And Katy’s disappointment before not getting to go to big tournaments.

It wasn’t until she was 14 that Katy was able to compete abroad.

She said: “Normally the under 14s travel Europe but because of Covid I had to miss out on that.

“A few years later I got into the Cadets squad and since then, the competitions have been in at least seven or nine countries each year.

“It came as quite a big shock to me as the costs started to add up. Especially to get to China, getting new kit, finding travel and accommodation.