WREXHAM Fencing Club sensation Lydia Johnson is celebrating her first Great Britain senior call-up.
The 23-year-old from Wrexham was unable to join the squad for a competition in Budapest, Hungary, because of work commitments, but the door has been left open for the talented foilist to compete in events in St Petersburg, Buenos Aires, Havana and Las Vegas.
Since taking up the sport at the age of 12, Johnson, a former Under 18s British champion, has represented Great Britain at cadet and junior level.
She is the top-ranked woman foilist in Wales and has been a member of the Welsh senior team for nine years.
A Wrexham club spokesperson said: “Lydia has been continually knocking on the door of the senior British squad and her unquestioned dedication, professionalism and ability has at last been rewarded.
“Feared by all her opponents, she is well respected and extremely popular with everyone on the fencing circuit. She is a credit to Wrexham Fencing Club and to Wrexham itself. “
If you would like to sponsor Johnson email info@wrexhamfencingclub.co.uk
Johnson was one of the quartet of Wrexham foilists that starred at the Belfast Open.
All but one of the foursome returned from the Northern Ireland event with medals in the bag. The clean sweep wasn’t possible because Carolyn Benson beat Stephanie Collister in the last eight before settling for women’s bronze along with Johnson. Collister was fifth while brilliant Ben Roberts proved he is back to full fitness after a knee problem by powering to men’s silver.
Collister and Bethany Ellis also did Wrexham proud at the latest Leon Paul Junior Series meet in Eton. Having struggled through her U15 girls foil poule matches, Collister found her feet in the direct elimination stages, knocking out the first seed before losing a closely-fought final to take silver.
Ellis went one better in the U11s girls foil, storming to gold-medal glory in impressive fashion.
