A schoolboy from St Albans capped a remarkable day’s fencing by claiming a silver medal in the British Youth Championships.

Herts Advertiser: Alex Culkin won the silver medal in the U14 foil category at the British Youth Fencing Championships.Alex Culkin won the silver medal in the U14 foil category at the British Youth Fencing Championships. (Image: Archant)

Alex Culkin, who goes to Verulam School, was fencing in the U14 foil category at the England Institute of Sport event in Sheffield.

And after an 8am start the 13-year-old battled his way through to the final, before eventually losing to the defending champion.

Culkin had came through regional heats to qualify and once there he had to see off six fencers in a mini-league to qualify for the last 16.

Culkin said: “It’s such a technically demanding sport that you sometimes have to give up points in order to fathom out your opponent’s strength and weaknesses.

“[The winner] will be competing for Scotland in the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games at U17 Level so without doubt he’s an outstanding fencer and a deserved champion.

“But I learned enough to know I can get a bit closer the next time.”