Stockport Swords fencer George Morris already has two Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games bronze medals in his collection but he insists it is only gold he is concerned about this time around in Manchester.
The 16-year-old will fence for Wales in his third straight appearance in the competition where he clocked two third-placed finishes in 2013 before reaching the quarter-finals last year.
Even though the season has just started for the Stockport Swords athlete the competition follows his trip to South Africa for the Commonwealth Championships where he won two bronze medals.
The Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games is a multi-sport event for the UK’s elite young athletes of school age that will take place from September 3-6 in Manchester.
And proud to represent Wales once more, Morris, British champion in 2014, can’t wait to get going and show what he can do.
“The School Games are very important because it puts you in a multi-sport environment just like the Olympics. It enhances good team work and above all true sporting spirit. It’s also fun,” he said.
“This again is a very good opportunity to show what I can do in preparation for future internationals. It brings together good fencers from the home nations.
“What inspires me is the fact that I am constantly aiming to do better than the last time, I enjoy fencing and I love to represent my country.”
The Bishop Heber High School pupil says one of the toughest things he ever has to do is smile for a photograph, but he also admits that his biggest challenge is to balance training, school, friends and family life.
However, he gets a lot of support from all parties who do all they can to help him reach great heights in fencing.
“I’m very lucky; my family are very supportive of my training and competitions. They do a lot of traveling and cheer me on,” he added.
“I have very good friends who are interested on how I’m getting on with fencing and others who fence, so I see them quite often.
“My school has always supported me in all sorts of ways, without their understanding it would have been very difficult to be where I am.
“However my school attendance and work must be up to date.”
The Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games, which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, takes place in Manchester from 3-6 September 2015. Visit www.2015schoolgames.com for more information.
Image courtesy of Maurizio Costanzo via Flickr, with thanks.