The British Youth Championships are held each year at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. Hundreds of competitors from around the UK qualify regionally to send their very best fencers to this event, the highlight for many on the British youth fencing calendar. Kate Daykin and Sarah-Jane Hampson of Salle Ossian were representing Central Scotland. The day started well for both girls, winning all their poule fights in the early round giving them strong seeding for the direct elimination rounds. SJ was particularly impressive coming back from a period of injury and looking strong. However, it was a nail-biting semi-final against the West Midlands Champion that she won 15/14 to make it into the final. On paper, Kate had the harder semi-final against one of England's strongest fencers, but you wouldn't have known. Kate embarked on a demolition of her opponent from the South East to ease into the final 15/7. The final was closely matched up to the half-way point, but after a slip on the piste by SJ, aggravating her injury, Kate pulled away to take the title for the second year running.
