ZFW's Amelie Tsang won gold at the Cadet & Junior World Fencing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaia.

The 16-year-old was competing in the Cadet (U17) foil event and produced some phenomenal fencing on the day as her parents watched on.

After a strong round of pools Amelie was ranked ninth out of 120 fencers from 47 countries and in the round of 64 she fenced her way past an Australian with a comfortable 15-3 win and then a Polish fencer with a closer 15-12 victory.

Next she faced off against Europe's number two ranked fencer from Greece and won 15-9, then in the quarter-finals Amelie was up against the number one seed from Israel whom she also dispatched 15-9.

The semi-final was a tightly-fought match, but Amelie won 15-14 against the runner-up of the Asian Championships from Hong Kong, showing no nerves and great focus, maturity and patience in setting up the winning point against her opponent.

That catapulted her into the final against Italy‘s top fencer, Greta Collini, and it proved a fast and beautiful match to watch with Amelie winning 15-11.

Coach Peter Barwell said: “Truly brilliant! It’s wonderful to see all her hard work and dedication over the past seven years come together.”

Amelie added: “Thank you coaches Pete and Ziemek for your immense support and guidance over the years.

"I have been with ZFW since the start. Pete was by my side when I won the U10 British Championships and has been there ever since. It has been an incredible journey so far and I look forward to lots more amazing fencing memories."

ZFW head coach Ziemek Wojciechowski said: “What Amelie has done is absolutely amazing! First British female World champion. This is just the beginning.”

Amelie is now the Cadet World Champion and the first ever female British fencing world champion in any category.

Her season continues with the qualification rounds for the Paris Olympics 2024 beginning with the Senior World Cups in Plovdiv and then Tbilisi.

ZFW clubmate Carolina Stutchbuy came fifth in the Junior Women's foil and sixth in the team events, while David Sosnov also competed at the Championships and finished 25th in the Cadet Men’s foil individual and seventh Junior (U20) in the men’s foil team events.