The city of Sheffield will host the British Senior Fencing Nationals this weekend, as over 300 athletes travel from across the country with hopes of becoming the next national champion.
The event, held at the English Institute of Sport (EIS), has attracted a number of fencers, ranging from seasoned GB internationals to intermediates who are looking to get a taste of the highest level of competition in the UK.
Among them are two University of Sheffield students, who are both looking to push for personal bests as well as good performances to increase their standing and test their skills against the best in the country.
We spoke to seasoned competitor and England international Adiy Siddiq, 20, who is looking to follow up an impressive third place finish at the 2025 Under 20 championships.
Mr. Siddiq said: “I think there’s not too much pressure, I’m going to try and enjoy it, although I really want to do well so I can get into the (GB) team this year.
“To represent your country, I think it gives you a lot of joy, its quite nice to represent and know you’re at that level in the sport. But I think fencing with no pressure is the best way, and as long as you’re enjoying it, the results will come, so I’m quite excited.”
Elsewhere in Sheffield, we also spoke to Henry Harris, 20, who is looking to test the water with his first Senior Nationals entry.
A relative newcomer to the sport, Mr. Harris has only been fencing for around three years, but is already targeting national representation with Cyprus. He said: “For the last two years I’ve been on the sidelines watching all these high level fencers, so it’s going to be an honour to fence with them this year.
“It’ll be a great learning experience for me, I’m coming into this as a complete underdog and the list of competitors is honestly quite terrifying, but I want to try and put myself in the right mindset and see how it goes so I can learn from whatever happens.”
This is not the first time Sheffield has hosted a major fencing competition, with University Nationals being held annually in the Canon Medical Arena, as well as the National Para (wheelchair) and Team Fencing Championships, which are also being held in the EIS venue this weekend.
Coincidentally, this year’s event also coincides with the start of the World Fencing League in the US, which has pledged to draw more mainstream attention towards fencing. It’s looking to be a very exciting time for this overlooked sport, and the city of Sheffield may end up playing a larger role in its development in the coming years.
Speaking on the local fencing culture in Sheffield, Mr. Harris said: “I think the University (fencing club) environment is really friendly and welcoming, there’s a range of skill, so even if you’re a complete beginner, there’s plenty of people to compete with, and there’s lots of opportunity to work your way up the ranks a bit.
“I still get lots of good training in the university sessions as well as local clubs in the city, and this means I’ve been able to do better and better and even work my way into the top 100 in the senior rankings, which I’m really proud of.”
