Fledgling fencer fails at UK School Games

Posted: Wednesday 17th September 2008 | 18:07

RISING fencing star Ben White suffered UK School Games heartache at the weekend as he crashed out in the quarter finals but vowed to bounce back with a bang in time for London 2012.

The 17-year-old Peter Symonds College student arrived at the four-day multi-sport event in Bath with high expectations having claimed a silver medal in the men's epée last year in Coventry.

White got off to a flyer and was ranked number one seed after the qualifying rounds on day one but succumbed to eventual winner Jonathan May 15-13 in the last eight.

But the Reading Fencing Club member vowed to resurrect the form that saw him selected for Great Britain at three World Championships as the domestic season kicks into gear.

"I'm really quite disappointed to go out in the quarter finals to be honest," he said. "I know I'm capable of a lot more but I just didn't perform to the best of my abilities.

"Jonathan is an excellent fencer and all credit to him. I don't know if it makes me feel better or worse that I lost to the eventual winner.

"After watching the Olympics in Beijing I was really looking forward to coming down here and succeeding but i guess it just wasn't to be.

"I have thought about London 2012 a lot. Personally I feel like I have a better chance of being successful at the Games in 2016 but that won't lessen my desire to make 2012 and compete for my country on the biggest stage.

"I will be 21 by the time London comes around which is quite young for a fencer but that doesn't mean that I can't target London and do my best to make sure that I get there."

White has been in excellent form of late, coming ninth at the European Championships in Italy earlier this year.

And the fledgling fencer is determined to get back to winning ways as the season begins in earnest once the UK School Games are completed.

"The season really gets going after this and I think that is a good thing. I won‘t have to wait too long to get back into action and put things right," he added.

"There will be a lot of domestic competitions and hopefully I will get the chance to travel abroad and pick up some different techniques and improve my game in whatever way I can.

GERARD MEAGHER