Talented young Mosman Viking Blades Fencing Club member dreams of the Olympics

MOSMAN Viking Blades Club member Christian Hely just made the national team and hopes to represent Australia in a world championships.

Junior Sports Star nominee Christian Hely. Picture: Braden Fastier

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AN OLD Robin Hood movie inspired Christian Hely to take up fencing and now he dreams of putting Australia on the world fencing map.

The Mosman Viking Blades Fencing Club member is this week’s Junior Sports Star nominee.

Christian, 12, picked up a sabre in 2012 and has been the top NSW fencer for his age ever since.

Last weekend he became the youngest member of the national team.

Christian holds five state and national titles and has won almost 30 medals — mostly gold — from various competitions.

Fencer Christian Hely. Picture: Braden Fastier

He has also represented Australia, most recently in the Hong Kong championships where he won bronze in the under-14 division.

This month he also won silver in the under-15 division of the state school championships, missing out on gold by one point.

Christian said “this massive sword fight” in the black-and-white Adventures of Robin Hood movie, starring Errol Flynn, inspired him to fence.

“I thought it was pretty cool,” he said.

“Then dad brought home two foam swords and I loved playing with them.”

Christian trains at Mosman Viking Blades Fencing Club. Picture: Braden Fastier

Christian began fencing at Mosman Prep and later joined Mosman Viking Blades.

“I like how it’s very challenging,” he said. “Someone can just pick up a sword and wave it around, but that’s not what fencing is about.

“Fencing is very mental; you block out everything around you and focus on one point at a time.”

Christian said his fearlessness helped him compete against bigger and more experienced opponents.

“I have no fear of anyone,” he said.

Christian’s sister Alexandra is also on the national fencing team. Pictured, Mosman Viking Blades Fencing Club’s Junior Sports Star Team Spirit nominees, the girls' sabre team. From left Hannah Shen, Sophia Mekertichian, Alexandra Hely, and Veronika Vasileva. Picture: Braden Fastier

Christian is training for nationals in July and also has the 2018 Youth Olympics and 2024 Olympics in his sights.

“Australia has not won a medal yet at a world championships,” he said.

“I want to try my best and win medals.”

Rebel is the major sponsor of the awards. Nominate online at juniorsportsstar.com.au/nominate

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