Olivia’s Commonwealth Challenge
Olivia Orchart, a student at Bangor University, is currently representing the Wales in the Commonwealth Fencing Championships (CFC10) in Melbourne, Australia.
Olivia will be competing in the foil and epée competitions. She competes on 30 September and 3 October- and is already acclimatising in Australia.
Olivia says: “I'm hoping for a medal at the CFC10 and to maintain and improve on last year’s success at the British Opens.
It feels amazing to say that I am representing Wales at the Commonwealths. After four years of training and hard work to reach this, it has just been awesome.
I'd like to say how fantastic the University has been with the funding and support in general. I've not had anything like it before and I wouldn't be here in Australia without it.”
Olivia Orchart receiving the Llew Rees Award from Mike Goodwin, Director of Estates last year.Bangor University awarded Olivia a bursary, supported by funds from charitable donors, to enable her to attend the Commonwealth Championships (29-.9.-5.10.10). Olivia also received the University’s highest sporting award last year, which is presented to the most outstanding sportsman or woman from among the student body last year. Olivia is currently in her fourth year of a Masters degree in Marine Biology.
Olivia current dream is to win a medal in Australia in foil and then return in four years time to medal in epee. She hopes to continue fencing throughout her life.
Olivia, is 21 and comes from Chepstow, South Wales. She is currently ranked 25th in the UK has already represented Wales in four international events in 2009: the Excalibur Cup, the Senior Winton Cup, the Junior Commonwealth Championships in Malaysia and the Senior 5 Nations. She Captained the Foil Teams in Excalibur, was part of the winning Women’s foil team in the Senior Winton cup and came home from the Junior Commonwealth Championships with Silver and Bronze medals. She has already represented Wales in the Senior Five Nations Team this year.
"We're delighted to be able to support such a committed sportswoman during her time at University. Many of our donors say that they want to give something back to the University and support current students. Olivia is a deserving candidate and we wish her every success for the future," said Kristen Gallagher, Head of Development & Alumni Relations at Bangor University.
Members of the University Fencing Club: Chris Reid of the University Fencing Club takes on an opponent.Olivia has contributed a great deal to the success of Bangor University Fencing Team who won the UK student championships last year. She has also acted as Team Captain and Selector for the Student Welsh 5 Nations Team for 2009 and 2010.
Publication date: 28 September 2010