Kia fencing success brings national team selection

Warrington teenager, Kia Wright is celebrating after being selected for the 2022 England Under 14 fencing team. 

Kia, won her place as a member of England Fencing’s 2022 Under 14 girls’ Epee team after ranking as one of the best junior fencers in the country.  Her achievement is even more impressive as the 2021 season was cut short by Covid-19 restrictions meaning there were fewer ranking competitions to score the necessary points.

Rising to the challenge Kia achieved some excellent results and at the end of last season, she ranked fifth overall in England, gaining automatic selection for this year’s team.

It will be a busy year for Kia as she will also be taking part in individual events, the highlight of which is the world championships for Under 15 fencers in June known as Challenge Wratislavia being held in Wroclaw, Poland.

Kia’s love of fencing started when she took up the sport aged seven attending the Four of Clubs fencing club held at the King’s Leadership Academy Warrington where she is now a Year 8 pupil where fencing is also a part of the school’s curriculum. Her commitment to the sport sees Kia training three nights a week as well as attending King’s Warrington’s after-school fencing club.

She originally started fencing with the foil, ideal for new beginners, before moving to use the epee which is a heavier weapon and requires a different fencing technique.  Mike Garrity, Head of PE at King’s Leadership Academy Warrington, adds: “Kia’s success is so well deserved. We are so proud of her at King’s particularly as it comes against the backdrop of pandemic challenges which limited her opportunity to score ranking points.”

“Kia’s achievements also show how our school curriculum and our after-school clubs are a chance to take part in different activities, such as fencing, giving students a chance to shine, develop new skills and build great foundations for their future.”