Bromley fencing prospect has busy 2023 schedule – with World Championships and European Games both targets

BY OLI DICKSON JEFFORD

Bromley fencing star Amelie Tsang insists she is ready for new challenges after enjoying a breakthrough 2022.

The 16-year-old made her mark on the international and domestic stage in a hugely successful few months which signposted why she is considered one of Britain’s brightest fencing prospects.

As she looks to continue cementing her place in the fencing world, Tsang is certainly not resting on her laurels this season with a busy schedule set for 2023.

“Last year in February I came third with my team at the U17 European Championships and I also went to the U17 Commonwealth Games last summer, where I came in top three,” said Tsang, who is being supported by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) through SportsAid this year.

“I came second at the senior nationals last season, and this season I won the U17 and U20 nationals.

“For this season I’m travelling to the U17 and U20 World Championships in Bulgaria. Hopefully we’ll get a result there, but I’ve had a quite a tough season.

“I’ve been injured for the majority of it, so I had to take two-three months out. There’s the World Championships in two months time and there’s also the European Games that I’m hoping me and my team will qualify for – and maybe the World Championships for the seniors as well.”

Tsang was announced as part of RBC’s ‘Class of 2023’ at a welcome reception in London last week. She is one of 50 athletes, across 34 sporting disciplines, to have received an award contributing towards costs such as travel, accommodation and equipment.

RBC and SportsAid are celebrating 10 years of partnership in 2023 with over £1million of support, including more than £325,000 raised by employees, provided to the charity over the course of the last decade.

Fencing has proven a family affair for Tsang, following in the footsteps of her mum who fell in love with the sport during her university days.

The sport is not one with a great deal of financial backing, which makes SportsAid and RBC’s support even more vital for Tsang and her family.

She added: “The first time I ever tried fencing was September 2015,

“My mum really wanted my sister and I to try it. She took us to this small club really close to where we lived. We gave it a go and I really enjoyed it.

“I did my first competition after one month of training and I remember I came third, and after that I just carried on and continued to enjoy it.

“SportsAid is really helpful for all the travel expenses and the kit as well. We have a lot of kit and it’s very expensive – the money I’ve received has been vital for me being able to travel places and compete in so many competitions. Also the workshops that they do, they’ve been really helpful and insightful with all the tips and advice.

“Being able to get the support that SportsAid gives is really vital for all the people that don’t have access to it.”

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