Kenber also admits he is at a loss as to why GB have flattered to deceive this year.
By Ben Baker, Sportsbeat, 0870 445 0156
PIMLICO fencer Jamie Kenber admits he’s at a loss as to why Great Britain have flattered to deceive this year but he’s convinced a medal at the World Championships is not out of the question – even if Lady Luck has deserted him.
The 24-year-old was the highest-place Brit in the men’s foil competition at the European Championships in Sheffield earlier this summer but could still only manage 23rd in a sub-standard outing for the home nation.
And in the team competition, the highly-rated quartet of Kenber, Ed Jefferies, Richard Kruse and Laurence Halstead could only manage fifth place as the whole British squad ended up empty-handed.
The draw has not exactly been kind to the British foursome for the forthcoming World Championships and they will cross swords with world number ones Italy in round one.
But Kenber believes Great Britain have what it takes to claim themselves a medal in Sicily and reverse their ailing fortunes.
“It’s not been great from our squad overall this year, we probably would have expected more especially with the attitude and performances we’ve had in training,” said the former Bristol Grammar School pupil.
“How sharp we’re feeling and our results aren’t really matching up to it.
“And its disappointing results haven’t been as good as they have been in previous years.
“But personally because I haven’t been injured, I have managed just as good a season as I have before – it’s always harder to get results going in the build up to an Olympic year.
“But in the team event I think we’re capable of beating every team in the world.
“One team in particular is going to be particularly hard (Italy) and that is the team we’ve been drawn against in the first round, our draw is quite harsh.
“I think we are a team capable of winning medals so we just have to work on our world rankings so we don’t draw Italy early again, or just work on our fencing so that we can beat Italy.
“I would like to get a medal but it’s going to be tough.”
With the World Championships serving as the final pre-cursor to the London 2012 Olympics, Kenber is only too aware that the pressure will be cranked up a notch in Catania.
But while he’s desperate to show what he can do, he admits the main goal remains next year’s Games.
“There is definitely added pressure but the main goal is to get our team in a position where we can win a medal next summer,” he added.
“I strongly feel that our world ranking does not affect our abilities to win and that’s a belief shared with all four of us and the coaching and management staff as well.
“I still think there’s a lot more to come from us.”
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