Sanderstead's teenage fencer Michael Salter has set his sights on a gold medal after being selected to represent Northern Ireland at the 2009 UK School Games.
The 18-year-old, who trains three times a week at Whitgift Fencing Club, won silver in the men's sabre event last year but wants to go one better this year.
“Last year I came second in the Individual Sabre and captained the Northern Irish team to the same," he said.
"Being given the chance again I really want to clinch those gold medals.
“Fencing has quite a tight knit community so the UK School Games is a nice way of meeting people from different sports.”
Salter has been backed by Olympic gold medal winner and UK School Games ambassador Darren Campbell.
“I congratulate Michael for his determination in achieving a place at the 2009 UK School Games, which will no doubt be the most important performance of his sporting career so far,” he said.
“Reaching the UK School Games is the closest a young person can get to competing at the Olympics."
The games take place in Cardiff from September 3 to 6.
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