New Malden fencer gets the nod to compete at the World Championships in Italy, despite being overlooked for the European Championships in Sheffield.
By Andrew Magee, Sportsbeat, 0870 445 0156
NEW MALDEN fencer Sophie Trioano has already made up for her European disappointment by getting the nod to compete at the World Championships in Catania, Italy later this month – and she’s desperate to prove she’s worthy of her place on the plane.
The 24-year-old has had an indifferent season and as a result she was overlooked for the European Championships in Sheffield this summer – a decision she admits was difficult to stomach.
But having knuckled down and improved her results she has received the nod to compete in Sicily – and the former Wimbledon High School pupil is determined to show she deserves to be there.
“Personally for me it’s been a mixed period, I had some good results but given the new programme we’ve done since August, I think we’re all in a much stronger position,” said Trioano, who represents Lansdowne Fencing Club and like the rest of the GB fencing team is supported by Beazley.
“The senior circuit compared to the junior circuit which I had been doing previously is a major step up. But I’m really finding my feet and I think we are as a team as well.
“I didn’t make the European championships because of my mixed results but I understood the decision at the time. Now I am just eager to prove myself at the worlds and I feel all the drive and focus I’ve put in since then have earned me that spot on the team.
“For us as a team we just want to move forward but individually I just want to improve on my last performance I wouldn’t want to put a number on it.”
With the World Championships serving as the last major competition prior to next year’s Olympics, Trioano is only too aware that she must produce the goods in Sicily or risk being overlooked for next year’s Games.
And with that ultimatum comes added pressure – but Trioano is adamant that for the time-being it’s the World Championships that take priority.
“Every competitive event is an opportunity to see what the opposition is doing because although we are training really hard everyone else is as well,” she added.
“Being one step ahead is what’s going to make the difference and with London 2012 coming up it’s vitally important to perform well on the big stage.
“I think the best way to deal with the pressure is just not to think about it. There is pressure to perform but as an elite athlete there is always pressure to perform.
“It’s most important to keep things in perspective and just keep your feet on the ground.”
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