Young New Zealand fencing champion sets sight on the world stage

The ancient weaponry sport of fencing has lacked much of a historical presence in New Zealand's elite sporting scene.

But sixteen-year-old Mount Albert Grammar School student, Charlie Bioletti, is hoping to change that by making his mark on the international stage.

Bioletti will compete at the Commonwealth Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships in Newcastle this July, along with a team of 18 young Kiwi fencers.

And although no New Zealander has ever claimed a medal in the Cadet Commonwealth division before, the ambitious Bioletti has set his sights high to break through the "glass ceiling" of international fencing.

"I aim to get a medal at the Commonwealth if possible," Bioletti said, "It's certainly feasible if I'm really in the groove."

"Fencing isn't so huge in New Zealand so it's mainly the European countries that dominate on the world stage."

"If things go well and I can break through the glass ceiling that the Italian and French fencers have set, it's definitely something I'd want to do."

Bioletti, who was crowned the New Zealand Under 17 National Men's Fencing Cadet Champion earlier this year when he claimed victory at the New Zealand Nationals, first put his swordsmanship skills to the test at the age of eight.

After taking part in a beginners course run by former foil National Champion Judit Fliszar, Bioletti started training and competing in the fencing discipline known as épée.

Arguably the most challenging discipline within the sport, épée is the heaviest of the three modern fencing weapons and requires a large amount of concentration, accuracy and speed.

Bioletti's mother, Ruth, said the sport had been a great influence on her son, particularly during his younger years.

"Charlie was very active and couldn't sit still in class and I thought he would have to concentrate in fencing or get poked, and it worked," she said.

"He was a lot happier in class and he's never really liked any other sport ... his coach, Kyle Macdonald, has also been a great influence on him as a teenager and it's been great for him emotionally as well as physically."

After a short break during his first few years of high-school, Bioletti confidently eased onto the national stage in 2017 claiming the national title only one year later.

But it wasn't an easy battle for the aspiring teen, who said his success hadn't come without a few sacrifices.

Balancing a busy year 12 student's high-school workload with up to five two-hour fencing training sessions a week, Bioletti admitted his social life had been put on the back-burner.

"In total, we're going to have a competition every weekend for the next seven weeks, so it's not good for the social life," Bioletti said.

"You have to dedicate most of your weekends to it at least, especially when we're in competition season."

"It gets quite busy toward the end of term when I have three internals to finish and know I still have to go to fencing ... it can get quite ridiculous."

But the young fencer believed it would be all worth it, as Bioletti said his result at the Commonwealth Championships could spring more opportunities for him on the international stage, with the possibility of an Olympic Games on the horizon.

"I'd first have to see how I go really because if I do well at the Commonwealth I could get funding from other places and that could lead to bigger and better things," he said.

"The Olympics, for instance, is definitely a goal, it's a pretty out there goal, but we'll see."

The Commonwealth Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships will be contested between July 23 and 31.

Charlie Bioletti's fundraising page