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MAKING A POINT: Welsh fencer Abi Difford

WHEN Abi Difford went on a family holiday to Pontins, she never thought that six years later she would be competing in fencing on a national and international stage.

Having taken part in a fencing workshop at the holiday resort, Abi's love for the sport has gone from strength to strength and on Saturday she will compete in the Senior Five Nations Championships in Glasgow.

The 17-year-old from Newport studies A Level English Literature, Maths, History and Biology at Coleg Gwent's Crosskeys Campus and is delighted to represent Wales in the event.

She said: "It's a great honour for me to represent my country and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Abi spends more than five hours training each week at Beaufort Centre in St Julian's, Gwent Sword Club, Chepstow and with the South West development squad in Bristol.

"I really enjoy it and it's lots of fun. I've taken part in lots of competitions over the years and one day I'd like to represent Wales in the Junior Commonwealth Championships which are provisionally planned for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in January 2009 - that would be fantastic."

Abi also travels all around Europe with her fencing, "It's great, I've competed in France, Slovakia and Germany," she said.

But juggling her studies alongside her training is not a problem. She said: "I just have to use my time wisely and keep on top of my homework - I'd like to study a Maths degree at university, so doing well at College is really important to me."

Anne Wilson, Abi's tutor and English Literature lecturer, is delighted with Abi's success and with her commitment and dedication in the classroom.

She said: "Abi is an excellent student, she's always committed to her studies and is a pleasure to teach, she's a great ambassador for the College and the sport."

Abi's love for the sport has also rubbed off on dad Carl. "My dad's always giving me lifts to and from training, so he decided to give it a go - it's definitely a sport you can pick up at any age - I've even seen someone compete at age 90!" she said.

1:28pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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