Dingwall fencer speaks of pride winning Five Nations title with Scotland
HANNAH Mackenzie was on point as she helped Scotland to victory at the Senior Five Nations Fencing Championships.
The Dingwall Fencing Club member was part of the Scotland squad which won gold at the tournament which took place in Derry/Londonderry in Northern Ireland.
The 23-year-old police officer, originally from Dingwall, who is now based in Wick, made her international debut for Scotland in the épée category.
The Five Nations competition featured England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland with Scotland coming out on top in the tournament.
It was a successful event for Mackenzie as she won all her bouts as did her teammates in the épée section.
She said she was delighted that she marked her international debut with Scotland being crowned as champions at the tournament.
“It was the first time I have represented Scotland,” she said.
“My selection came about when they asked us to put notes of interest about being called up to the squad.
“So I put myself forward and didn’t expect to hear anything else. So I was delighted when I was selected.
“It is the biggest competition of my career so far. It was a high standard, there were fencers that had represented Great Britain and we had to compete quite well.
“I was delighted with how we performed and came away with the overall title.
“There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the competition and the team was excellent at supporting each other through the day.”
As well as success in épée, Scotland also achieved two golds in the women’s sabre and men’s sabre categories, as well as a silver and a bronze as they managed to secure the overall title.
Mackenzie has been involved in fencing for seven years and has taken part in a number of competitions during her career throughout Scotland.
Despite being based in Caithness where there is no fencing club, she does try to balance her work and sporting career.
She said: “I started fencing when I was a pupil at Dingwall Academy when I was 16 and just carried on from that and have been a member of the club since.
“During my career, I have competed in the Highland Open and Scottish Intermediate Championship where I won bronze and I have also competed at the Scottish Open.
“I try to travel from Wick to Dingwall to train with the club when I can. Being a police officer, it can be difficult to balance with my training.
“But I do some training outwith the club to keep my fitness up as there is no fencing club in Wick. But I try to get down when I can.”
