whereas in sabre any part of the sword can be used to make a hit. As such, Keira said that “sabre is much faster and more calculated with less margin for error.” As we speak Keira is ranked 3rd as a Cadet (U17) and 7th as a Junior (U20); she has recently won the British Youth Championships (U16) in Women’s Sabre, which required her to win the SE Regional Championships to qualify. Keira is also proud to have won the English Youth Championships (U15) – there are already a lot of medals around this girl’s neck!
When not fencing, Keira and her friends like to sample bubble waffles all around the world! Every week sees Keira training three or four times at her club, MX Fencing. She spars and fences one-onones under the guidance of her coaches, Phil ShepherdFoster and Rob Partridge. “I have loads of friends on the circuit,” she said. 32 SUSSEX LIVING | August 2022
Although, she explained, it is difficult to fence against your friends because they know your game and style so well. Dedication to the sport comes naturally to Keira as she loves it so much. “It’s everything to me; friends, community, fun, a place to relax. Although my emotions are heightened when I’m competing I love it and really enjoy it.” When not fencing, Keira and her friends like to sample bubble waffles all around the world! There are sacrifices that have to be made, however; for example sometimes Keira has to miss out on parties, but she said her friends understand and it’s a small price to pay for all the enjoyment she gets out of fencing. She
also has to do her schoolwork on the move sometimes. “My school, Brighton College, are really understanding and supportive. They give me time off when I need it,” Keira told me. Next year she will be doing her GCSEs but she’s confident of staying on top of her work. “I always catch up and communicate with them if I’m behind, then they don’t mind so much!” Proud mother Kerstin added, “Keira is a diligent student – self disciplined and motivated and mature in her
communication.” Qualities which I’m sure serve her well on the fencing piste (the surface on which the sport takes place) as well. And looking to the future? Keira has her sights set on the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and she is being supported in this long-term goal by the British Fencing Athlete Development Programme, with values based on honesty, teamwork, excellence and respect. It exists to support athletes who have potential to achieve Olympic success and inspire others. There is a belief that better people make better athletes; so it is athlete centred, development driven and competition supported. This enables Keira to take part in three or four camps each year, be surrounded by some of the top fencers and coaches in the country and really work on both her individual game and teamwork too. They also learn about nutrition, drugs education, mental health, and receiving constructive feedback. Keira is working hard towards qualifying for the European and World Championships this season, and is clearly focused, in the zone and totally in her element. This young lady is one to watch. l
