Meet the Fencers
Read stories from a selection of MX fencers ranging from juniors to veterans
and find out more about their personal fencing journey.
Come and meet some of our fencing family that we are immensely proud of.
Clara
I have been fencing for around 7 years. Having started off as a fun after school club, fencing has slowly become a larger part of my life. During these years of fencing, I have gone from competing in LPJS to now fencing in the cadet series. My best achievement in fencing has been being picked for the U17 GBR squad to represent my country at an international competition in Bucharest last year. I felt extremely honoured, and proud of all of the hard work I have put into fencing. The thing I enjoy most about fencing is that it is not only a physical sport, but also a hugely mental one- using your brain to figure out your opponent, but also conquering your own nerves and fighting mental battles. Nerves have always been prominent in my time fencing, but learning about how they affect my fencing has helped me understand them, and overall staunch them at competitions. In the future, I hope to have progressed in fitness and technique, but also I hope to still enjoy fencing as much as I do now.
MX has helped me learn not only just about fencing, but also around the psychology of achieving and aiming high. I like the friendly kindness of the club, and the community it makes me feel a part of.
Tilly
I’ve been fencing for almost two years now and competing internationally since the beginning of 2023. There are so many things I adore about it - the mental and physical exertion, the opportunities it has given me, the social aspects - but I’d say my favourite part is the satisfaction of having a really good fight. Fencing is an extremely cathartic sport, and the feeling that comes with applying every part of your person towards a single goal is pretty unmatchable. I’d say my biggest achievement would have to be qualifying for my first international; that feeling remains pretty unrivalled. As for future aspirations, I’d love to compete in the European or World Championships someday, but mostly I just hope I’m still enjoying it as much as I am now. For me, fencing is about having fun with my friends doing a sport that I love and is good for me; competing is just a bonus. MX suits me because it allows me to use fencing as an escape from the pressures of outside life rather than adding to them. This is undoubtedly a high level club which will help you to achieve any competitive aspirations you hold, but it also recognises that winning and competition should not be the sole focus and allows us to relax and make friends and enjoy the amazing opportunities fencing gives us.
Isla
I have been fencing for about 6 years, and fence for fun, occasionally attending the odd competition. My best achievement was getting a medal at the BYCs, and in the future I hope to attend more competitions and become a stronger fencer. I really enjoy fencing because not only is it a really fun sport that involves waving a weapon around (what’s not to love!) but it is also quite technical and I enjoy the quick thinking that has to be done.
I have found MX to be a great club, as it fosters a wonderful community of fencers at all levels and abilities, and you can guarantee that at each lesson you have you will not only be able to fence a wide variety of fencers, but have a lot of fun doing so and make a lot of great friends, no matter how long you’ve been fencing for.
Ben
I began fencing 11 years ago when I was at the University of Kent. I started fencing because it really is the best sport; it’s both mentally and physically challenging. I’ve now returned to the University for a postgraduate degree, and I’m currently the men’s team captain. This means I will be organising a team for the BUCS league next year, and encouraging as many of our fencers as possible to enter competitions. My best fencing achievement (so far, I hope!) is coming second place at the BUCS London and South Eastern Sabre regionals in 2023. My future fencing goal is to get into the top 30 ranked Sabreurs in the country. I enjoy coming to MX not only for the great coaching, but also because the club has a competitive, yet still fun and friendly atmosphere.
Alex
I first started fencing at a lunchtime club when I was 7. Not content to ineffectually wave around a foam sword, I joined MX Fencing to gain access to superior weapons. Since then, I have honed my skills against a variety of valiant opponents, many of whom have become good friends. I enjoy competitions which, despite the brandishing of weapons, are very friendly affairs. Fencing can also take you to international competitions and camps. I particularly enjoyed going to a camp in Italy this summer, where I experienced the pinnacle of pizza excellence. I highly recommend fencing to anyone who enjoys mental and physical challenges. Let's face it- who wants to be face down on a frozen rugby pitch in the depths of January? Join MX- stay dry, stay warm, stab people with swords.
Harvey
I've been fencing for nearly two years now and really enjoy it. I fence just for fun and exercise and my favourite thing about fencing would be the high energy matches against friends.
My greatest fencing achievement would probably be when I learnt a move in a lesson, carried it out in a match and it worked perfectly. My future fencing goal, I think would just be to become a better fencer.
Finally, I think what makes MX the best club for me is the fact that everyone is very friendly and you can get help from anyone if you need it.
Melanie
I have been fencing for 4 years. I am 16 and I fence internationally in U17 competitions. I love how fencing requires you to think tactically as well as being a physical sport, and how there are so many different styles and strategies that people use. I also love the pressure that comes with competing.
I like how at MX, everyone is at different levels and has different goals but everyone’s individual goals are taken into account in training. I also like how there is a wide range of freedom to develop our own style and learn for ourselves rather than just doing what a coach tells us.