Finn

For me, as somebody with Asperger’s Syndrome, FCL has been a great place to grow. My three great loves about fencing are the social side and how I feel very connected, the competitive nature of the sport as well as the constant challenges – both physical and mental – that fencing puts in my way. 

I began fencing as an after-school hobby in 2015 and was invited to join Fencers Club London soon after. When I first started, I remember being very sensitive to sounds and the environment. If two referees were talking at once, I could easily get them mixed up. But now, after familiarising myself with the discipline of training, the bleeping of the scoring boxes and the constant clashing of the metal swords, I can keep my focus.

In competitions, I have represented FCL as a club, my school, my Home Nation and GB here and around the world. I recently won the Public Schools Fencing Championships. I didn’t focus too much on who I was representing and who was watching. Instead, I was thinking about me and my opponent and getting one step further towards my goals.

I am hoping to be the number one Under-17 cadet fencer in GB next season and make the Major Championships. My long-term dream is to make the Olympics or a Senior World Championships. There’s a lot of work to do but it will be enjoyable, I’m sure. I have friends from many clubs and countries. Funny how when I beat them with my favourite counter-attack move, they say it’s squirmy. I prefer to go with my FCL Coach who tells me it’s well-timed.