Fencer Edgar is battling at the sharp end (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Fencer Edgar is battling at the sharp end

8:00am Sunday 4th October 2009 in Sport

TEENAGE Epee fencer Edgar Hornby produced his best result to date recently and is now the top ranked 13-year-old fighter in the country.

The Bishop Challoner School pupil only took up the sport last season attending a fencing course and then joined the Reading club in January, where he is coached by Alain Barbasiewicz.

The Pamber Heath-based fencer has spent most of 2009 entering Leon Paul Junior Series under-13 events. In July, he came third in the Cornwall Leon Paul Tournament and it was suggested he should enter the under-20 British Selection Circuit event at Hampton for experience.

Hornby was the only 13-year-old to make the cut, at this stage he was placed 25th (out of 66).

However, he lost his first direct elimination fight and had to settle for a creditable 35th.

In his poule he beat Steve Pinkerton, who has represented Northern Ireland, 5-4 and recorded the same scoreline over Great Britain international Paul Sanchez.

He then beat Dominic Cross 5-1 and Mateo Dworkin 5-4.

The result means he is now ranked 35th on the GB Cadet (Under-17) Development list.

He is also the only 13-year-old on the Junior (Under-20) rankings, where he is placed 50th.

He has four tournaments coming up this month, including an International in Basingstoke’s twin town Alencon, in France.