When Chiara McDermott was 10 years old she saw fencers in a Mercedes-Benz advertisement. Four years on she has won a string of awards at the sport and has the olympics in her sights.
Chiara has achieved a lot already in her four years of fencing, graduating to the England U15 and recently the Great Britain U17 teams. Indeed, England U15 fencing team honours beckoned for Chiara earlier this year with tournaments in Paris (foil) and Wratislavia, Poland (epee) – few fencers are able to achieve national representative honours at more than one weapon.
She gained a bronze medal in the British Youth Championships in Stoke this year and again finished third in the English Youth Championships held recently in Reading. Chiara has also represented Surrey at a Senior (Adult) Competition in Bath during May.
Her father Nick McDermott said: 'Chiara is already a member of the England U-15 team and just recently been selected for the Great Britain Cadet squad at U17 level since she turned 14 on last September. Naturally, as a family we are very proud of her achievements already.'
The GB squad selection for this season is due to take Chiara to Germany, France, Italy and Slovakia, while next April sees the World Cadet Championships coming to Belfast.
Chiara is determined to succeed but needs help with the costs of equipment and overseas travel. Overseas competition, especially against european fencers, is essential to achieve the highest standards.
Vapour Trail Ltd is proud to support Chiara and will be shortly launching her website. If you or your business would like to sponsor Chiara, please get in touch on 01342 715836