It's 100mph chess, say fencers taking on the world

Sarah Tickner (right), pictured with her coach, will be competing in the women's sabre competition

Two fencers from the same club will represent Great Britain at the Veteran World Championships in Bahrain this month.

Michael Naulls and Sarah Tickner from Norfolk Fencing Club will be competing on the international stage for the first time after earning selection through national qualifying events.

"It is an amazing opportunity, something that has taken me 10 years to achieve. It is incredible," said Naulls, 41, taking part in the foil category for men aged 40-49.

Tickner, 43, will compete in the women's sabre. She told BBC Look East she felt she had "already won just getting there".

Michael Naulls says he hopes to soak up the atmosphere at his first international event

"It is a very competitive sport," said Naulls, from Bungay in Suffolk.

"Your opponent is trying to out-think you, mentally, physically and technically."

Asked if fencing was like chess, he replied: "It really is, except this one can be done at 100mph."

He said the sport had given him "wonderful friends" and opportunities to travel the country.

"I just hope I can fence my best. I feel ready."

Fencing: The basics

• Fencing is a combat sport where two competitors use swords of different types to attack and defend against one another

• The aim is to score points by striking your opponent

• It has been contested at every summer Olympic Games since the birth of the modern Olympic movement in 1896 in Athens

• There are three disciplines: The foil, the épée and the sabre - each uses a different kind of blade and has different rules

Sarah Tickner says she already feels like a winner after qualifying for the world championships

Tickner, from Poringland, near Norwich, who is also secretary at Norfolk Fencing Club, said she was still relatively new to the sport after taking it up "accidentally".

"I wanted to show my son that nerves are part of competition, and prove to him that you could get over them, no matter how scary it is.

"There's a real sense of camaraderie across the whole of the veteran fencing community but also a gentle challenge in competition as well."

She said the sabre category was "very competitive" and "really entertaining" to watch.

Paul Stimpson, who coaches both athletes, puts their success down to hard work

Paul Stimpson, who coaches them both, said they would face a huge test in Bahrain.

They will be coming up against ex-internationals, Olympians and some of the best fencers in the world.

Nine hundred competitors are taking part in the competition, starting on Monday in Manama.

"Sarah is heading there with a really positive mindset. Hopefully she might come away with a medal," he said.

"He [Michael] has taken so well to the veteran scene. He's optimistic but realistic about his chances, as the field is so competitive.

"We are immensely proud of them. They have both worked so hard. It is great for our club to have them competing on the world stage."