A TEENAGE Team GB fencer is on the hunt for sponsorship to help him compete at two prestigious competitions.
Henry Pick, who ranks in the top three U17 fencers in the country, has been selected to go to the U17 World Championships in Saudi Arabia next month and to compete in the U17 Commonwealth Championships in New Zealand in July.
The Wythall and Shirley resident will go head to head with the top sabre competitors from across the world at both competitions and is determined to don his Team GB kit once again.
He said: “In my age group the World Championships are the crème de la crème of competitions where you work all year to get the results and points that qualify you above your competitors in the rankings. All the top fencers from all across the world who have been selected compete at it.
“The Commonwealth Championships on the overhand is a smaller competition but I have a strong chance at medaling there.
“These major events are the end of our competitive season and I cannot turn away the chance to do the sport I love on the other side of the world plus it is a nice finish to a long and tough season.”
But the one thing keeping the King Edward VI School pupil from his glory is the costs.
Around his training and volunteer coaching for younger fencers at Shakespeare’s Swords in Stratford – as well as his studies – he has picked up a part-time job and is washing cars.
But he fears he will not be able to reach his £6,000 target so has set up a Go Fund Me page calling for residents to dig deep and help him catch his dream.
Henry said: “When I was growing up, having the older guys with the GB patches on their breeches made me want to become better and get one of my own.
“It feels amazing to be representing my country as one of its top athletes in the age group. It is satisfying to see all the hard work pay off as my results are not due to luck.
“My first time wearing the GB tracksuit was in Naples for the European Championships in February.
“When I wear it I feel a deep sense of accomplishment and proud to be part of the face of our country.
“Every time I wear it I cannot help but smile as it is the proof of my goals becoming achievements.”
He says he hopes to repeat his success in the U20 category next season when he moves up and hopes to inspire to the younger generation.
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