Aiming to be a cut above the rest at the 2012 Olympics is fencer Kira Roberts, writes Richard Bray. The 16-year-old, from Bishopsteignton, is hoping the games, being staged in London, will be the pinacle of her fencing career. Kira, who is a sabre fencer, is already making a name for herself in the sport. She started the year in great style by winning by Glasgow Seniors Open. Kira was then part of the Great Britain U20 team which secured a bronze medal at the Junior Commonweath Games, which were held in India. She followed this by securing victory on home soil in the National Seniors' Open in Slough, before finishing 34th in the under-17 individual World Championships, which took place in Korea. Born in London, Kira became interested in the sport when moved to Devon five years ago. 'I was started fencing when I went to Trinity School, Teignmouth, when I was 11, but it was not until just over two years ago that I started to concentrate on sabre,' said Kira. Her next target is the National Seniors' Championship, which takes place at Cosford RAF base, Shropshire, in July, a competition in which she finished 11th in 2005. Kira is trained by Jan Lacey, of Dawlish. Lacey, who firmly belives Kira has the talent and dedication to reach to top of her sport, is a senior coach with the British Fencing Association and a coach with the British Academy of Fencing. 'I have weekly sessions with Jan, but also spend a lot of time on my physical fitness,' said Kira, whose hero in the fencing world is Emma Heinz, ranked number three in Great Britain. Kira, whose career ambition is to be fencing coach, said the path to her Olympic dream was not a cheap one. 'Travelling is what most of the money goes on,' she said. 'Trinity have provided me with a Sports Scholarship, The Rotary Club of Teignmouth have help me with some of my costs, and my mum is very good when it comes to paying out. 'However, I could really do with sponsorship to help with the expense‚' she added. If any person or business would like to help Kira in her quest for glory, they can contact her on 01626 879282 or her coach on 01626 867573.
