GB call-up’s epee-ic for swordsman Bell
JACK Bell is about to indulge in more international swordsmanship - in the hope he can begin 2019 in epee-ic style, writes TONY HODGSON.
The 18-year-old fencer from Newcastle has been drafted into the Great Britain under-20 squad for three international matches.
The first is in Latvia on November 17, followed by tournaments in Luxemburg on December 1 and Greece on December 15.
West Moor-based Bell will fight in the epee discipline - and he has every incentive to impress.
The youngster said: “If I do well it will give me a good chance of being selected for the GB senior squad for next year’s European Championships in Italy and the World Championships in Poland.
“It will be tough at all three events - the standard of competition will be very high.
“However, I am very confident I can do very well.
“I always go into competitions feeling I can perform well.
“I am looking forward to competing and really excited about the challenge. To get ito the senior team would be a fantastic experience, a dream come true.”
Bell, who trains six days a week at the Durham-based Laszlo Fencing Club, is currently ranked No 3 in Britain at under-20 level for epee.
He goes into his trio of international tournaments in fine form.
Bell added: “I recently won a bronze medal at the British Under23 Championships in Nottingham and also a bronze at an under-20 ranking event in London.
“That was very pleasing and now I hope to build on that when I represent GB.”
Bell is also the reigning under-18 boys’ epee champion after triumphing at the British Youth Championships in Sheffield earlier this year.
He came through 11 bouts to take the title after qualifying through a regional competition and agegroup finals.
In doing so, Bell went one better than last year, when he claimed a silver medal.
He said: “I am very ambitious and want to be the best I can be in the sport.
“I want to qualify for the Olympics in future and do well there.”