Newham Swords under-17s

Newham Swords fencers Jai Birch and Rajan Rai continued their recent success with gold and bronze medals at the London Foil tournament.

They had gone into the tournament following good results at the Manchester under-17 International and both continued their excellent run.

The results for the two GB under-17 internationals means they are currently ranked at number two and three in the national rankings and in contention to compete in Germany and France for Great Britain.

Birch and Rai were joined in the event by under-15 international Kamal Minott, who was fencing against boys two years older than him.

But he stepped up the plate and achieved a personal best of eighth place and is also in contention for the GB squad.

The trio will now compete in the third GB qualifier at Gateshead, where the results will determine whether they make the squad for the German and French international tournaments.

And Swords manager Linda Strachan hopes they can have three selected for the first time in their history.

“We have already managed to get two Newham Swords fencers to an under-17 Men’s Foil International last season, but have never had three qualify,” said Strachan.

“Let’s hope that Rajan, Jai and Kamal maintain their good from and qualify for the French and German internationals.”