By Konstantinos Lianos

Bexleyheath fencer Laura Gladdish admits she can’t wait to pit herself against the very best once again at next week’s Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games.

The Sainsbury's School Games is a multi-sport event for the UK’s elite young athletes of school age that will take place from September 3-6 in Manchester.

Britain’s U18 women’s sabre champion Gladdish will be representing England in the competition and will be looking to build on her previous performances.

The MX Fencing athlete competed at the 2013 Games and put together an impressive performance as she came third in the individual and first in the team event.

She has also prevailed in other competitions such as the U15 international in Moneteau, France, three years ago which she won.

Proud to represent her country, the Beths Grammar School pupil is aiming for more silverware next week in both the individual and team event.

“I feel very excited and proud to be a part of the 2015 School Games, as it is a great competition where athletes from all sports are brought together to compete at a high level,” she said.

“This competition is important to me, as the top athletes from many countries are chosen to be a part of it. This makes the tournament more fierce and exciting. 

“What inspires me to compete is success itself as well as the pride you get after achieving a specific goal through very hard work. 

“I used to get extremely nervous before competing.

“I have overcome this overtime as I got used to competing in big tournaments and as my experience has grown I am learning how to control my mental attitude.”

Even though the SportsAid award-winning athlete has overcome her pre-competition stress, she still finds it hard to balance her school work with training.

But that does not stop her from competing in a number of tournaments as she has also appeared in the European U17 fencing championships and the world U17 fencing championships.

Gladdish, who started fencing from the tender age of eight, also has fond memories from outside the piste as she says she will never forget holding Leon Taylor's Olympic silver medal although her sporting hero is Jessica Ennis-Hill.

“I believe her determination and willpower gave her the strength to excel at her sport,” she added.

“She started out as a normal person from Sheffield and through a bumpy rollercoaster she achieved her dream of becoming an Olympic champion, this is why I idolise her journey and achievements.”

The Sainsbury's 2015 School Games, which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, takes place in Manchester from 3-6 September 2015.

Visit 2015schoolgames.com for more information.