NEWHAM SWORDS fencer Rajan Rai successfully defended his title when he won the the Cambridge Leon Paul National Junior under-13 event at the weekend. This result follows the 13-year-old s win at the Camden Leon Paul, held last month, and puts him in fift

NEWHAM SWORDS fencer Rajan Rai successfully defended his title when he won the the Cambridge Leon Paul National Junior under-13 event at the weekend.

This result follows the 13-year-old's win at the Camden Leon Paul, held last month, and puts him in fifth place in the England under-15 rankings.

"Raj is a great talent," said coach and former Olympic fencer Pierre Harper.

"He works extremely hard and is a pleasure to teach."

Rai, who is part of Tessa Sanderson's Sports Academy, along with six other Newham Swords fencers, will now compete for the club in the London Team Event at the end of this month before fencing at the Newham Leon Paul National Junior Event in December.

"We expect Raj to make his first appearance for the England under-15 team next February, when they compete in an international in Paris," added Newham Swords manager and fellow Olympian Linda Strachan.

"He will then follow in the footsteps of his Newham Swords clubmates, Ife Kubler, (15), Amol Rattan, (16) and Alex Savin, (15), who are now fencing for GB in the under-17 team."

If you would like to join in the success of Newham Swords or just try out fencing, please contact Linda on 07956 618898.