Packwood fencer in world top 100

1st February, 2012

Keishi Oyama, who studied at Packwood from 2008-9, has become the school’s first international fencer. Now representing Japan, he fought in his first International Sabre event in London on Sunday 28th January. Despite being one of the youngest entrants, he came 92nd out of a field of 130 international fencers and is clearly an exciting prospect for the future.

Other future internationals may well include some of the thirty-two Packwood pupils who competed on the same day in the West Midlands Regional Epee competition. Issy Wythe emerged as Regional Champion in the Under 12 Girls, with Edward Don Regional Runner-up in the Under 12 Boys. They will be joined by fellow medallists Ella Downey (Bronze, Under 14 Girls), James Hinwood and William Holcroft (both Bronze Under 12 Boys) and Quarter-finalists Rory Davies (Under 14 Boys) and Roly Hancock (Under 12 Boys) in their pursuit of a national title at the British Fencing Youth Championships at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield in May.

Packwood fencing team continues to advance, sword in hand, taking delivery of an Olympic style aluminium fencing piste last term. The school fencing club and its recent competitions have also featured this month in The Sword, the national publication of the sport. At this rate, Keishi may be the first of many Packwood international fencers.