Athletes Dream Ned Fitzgerald | Fencing | Page 5

“I travelled to Europe and competed in Euro Cadet circuit events (Bratislava and Warsaw JWC) in 2012, training in Hungary. My best result was 17th in Bratislava (at the age of 15). I have trained and competed in Japan twice in 2014, including competing in my first open World Cup (Prince Takamodo). I have also competed at the Hong Kong Age Championships, Japan Olympic Cup, Asian Zone Cadet and Juniors in Bangkok, Bali and Jordan, and in 2014 at my first Asian Seniors in Seoul. My absolute highlight so far is the three weeks I spent at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China (August 2014). I was the Oceania representative, the first fencer ever to gain a place at YOG from Australia. I was seeded 11th from 13 competitors, and was the lowest seed in my pool. However, I won four pools from 5, defeating the Silver and Bronze medallists from Cadet World Championships, among others. Although I did not win my DE, I finished 5th and this showed me that I can compete on the World Stage. ” Ned Fitzgerald Fencing