Teen fencing star grabs first major gong

BRITISH fencing star Ed Jefferies believes his Junior World Cup victory is just the tip of the iceberg with London 2012 already in his sights.

_{ED AND SHOULDERS: Scottish fencing star Ed Jefferies grabs his first ever junior World Cup}

The 19-year-old Black Isle ace defeated Italian rival Niccolo Meringolo in Leszno, Poland to secure his first FIS World Cup last weekend.

And Jefferies, who believes men's foil in Great Britain is going from strength to strength, has immediately turned his attentions to April's World Championships as the next step to 2012.

"I was ecstatic to win a World Cup," he said. "I wouldn't say it was completely out of the blue because I've been in some good form - it was a surprise but something I always knew I was capable of.

"I was ecstatic. I always knew I was capable of it" Rising fencing star Ed Jefferies

"It's the perfect stage in my progression and I hope this won't be the last one I win before moving up to senior level after the under-20 category.

"I need to keep my head down and keep training hard with my fantastic coaches. I've had a few run outs in senior competitions and done Okay - I've got to a few last 64s.

"And that's definitely where I want to be in the future - representing my country at the Olympics."

Jefferies is currently ranked 17^th in the world in the junior category and 192^nd in the seniors.

GERARD MEAGHER