Crawley boy set for international fencing tournament

Crawley's Euan Deamer took up fencing at the age of six

A schoolboy from Crawley has qualified to compete in an international fencing competition.

Twelve-year-old Euan Deamer is the youngest member of the 12-strong English boys team, which is due to take part in the Marathon Fleuret in Paris next month.

The tournament is attended by hundreds of fencers in the under-15 age group from more than 20 counties.

"It's really exciting. To be one of the team is really special," Euan said.

Euan Deamer, aged 12, talks about his hopes for success as an international fencer.

"I'm a bit nervous because there's 400 boys all together and you only need one fight to knock you out and you're out for the whole competition."

Euan qualified for the Paris tournament after he won a bronze medal at the England Youth Championships last year.

He competes with a foil, where points are scored when contact is made on the opponent's torso with the tip of the sword.

Euan took up fencing at the age of six, following in the footsteps of his older brother Luke.

"My brother started it when we went to France on a holiday," Euan continued.

Euan (centre) in action with his brother Luke refereeing

"We met this man who showed him the basics and I was interested in it as well.

"It's a mental game of chess rather than fitness.

"Even though you need fitness, you need to work out what your opponent is going to do and how you can counter it."

Euan, who's a pupil at Hazelwick School in West Sussex, regularly trains at the Crawley Sword Club.

His coach Geoff Griffin said: "He's dedicated and prepared to have a go. There's a lot of talent in Crawley with the young people who fence.

"Every country is capable of being a world-beater. It's just a question of how you develop the fencers."