A TEENAGE fencer from Leyton is being tipped for Olympic glory by his coach after he won a national competition.

Despite competing against opponents two years his senior, Amol Singh Rattan, 15, won the foil section of the British National Cadet Fencing Championships.

The win moves him into third place in the Cadet Foil Selection Rankings and gives him a strong chance of competing in the Cadet World Championships, to be held in Azerbaijan next April, if his fine form continues.

One of Amol’s coaches, Linda Strachan, knows a thing or two about international competition, having fenced for Great Britain in the Seoul and Barcelona Olympic Games.

She said: “He’s really hard-working, dedicated and now hungry after his success. He has real talent. He is a definite Olympic prospect. He will be too young for London 2012 but he will be in with a chance at the Olympics in Rio in 2016.”

He is also given expert tuition by Pierre Harper, who has represented Great Britain in the Moscow, Los Angeles and Seoul Olympics.

The Newham Swords fencer, of Amberley Road, beat Kristjan Archer 10-6 in the final of the championships in Sheffield on Saturday.

He said afterwards: “It was an emotional win because it was my last fight as a cadet. Next year I will be fighting in a higher age group.”

Amol added: “I would love to represent Great Britain in the 2016 Olympics. I would have to train hard, stay focused and achieve good results, then it is possible. I may have to train abroad in Italy where fencers are really respected.”

He is critical of the lack of prestige attached to fencing in Britain, compared to other sports.

“My friends were shocked when I told them the prize I got for winning the competition is a £20 voucher. This is a national competition. I’d like to get more people interested in fencing because it seems I am the only competitor from this borough,” he said.

However, Ms Strachan believess Amol’s success proves that competitors no longer need a privileged background to prosper as a fencer.

“Fencing is often seen as a sport for the elite but fencers like Amol are changing that perception and are putting Newham Swords on the map. He is helping to change the face of the sport.

“I was absolutely ecstatic for Amol when he won. He’s an exceptional talent and I am delighted for him,” she said.

But Amol will not have time to rest on his laurels because he will be taking part in an international competition in Halle, Germany, next month.

Ms Strachan said: “It will be a crucial competition for Amol. If he is successful he will continue to be highly placed in the rankings.”