Oldham-trained Alex wins GB fencing title

Alex Lister, who trains at the TMFC Fencing club in Oldham, is pictured above (left)

Teenager Alex Lister, who trains at the TMFC Fencing club in Oldham, became the new Cadet Men’s Sabre fencing national champion while competing in the GBR International Under-17s Circuit.

Alex, who is 16, lunged his way through Europe in both individual and GBR Team 1 events, nationally and internationally.

Finishing his European circuit in Manchester, Alex took home the gold, coming first in his category after accumulating the highest number of points across all competitions, including taking a first place in the British Cadet Competition 2022.

He has perfected his skill at the TMFC Fencing club, but his journey to champion status started way before now at Heathfield Prep, the junior school to Rishworth School.

At age 11, Alex joined the school’s beginners fencing club to learn all the basics, something his mother, Andrea Lister, said was an excellent introduction.

For Alex, what started as a hobby soon became a passion.

Now in Year 11 at Rishworth School, he is a role model for aspiring fencers and encourages other young students to join the school’s beginners fencing club.

He said: “I know I can get even better.

"It's great to be national champion, but I know how much hard work that took and I’m not satisfied, I know there is more to come.”

Five years of practise has led Alex to great successes and he has now qualified in the four places to fence for team GB at the European Championships later this year.

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