Rhys Swift is soaking up every moment of competing in the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in London, as he continues his burgeoning career in the sport.

The 14-year-old Warwick Academy student is the youngest of Bermuda’s four-man team competing at the championships at the University of East London SportsDock, where he is joined by Don Treanor, the team captain, Federico Candiolo and Ben Jewett.

Swift, who has been attending fencing classes at St Paul’s Church Hall in Paget for the past four years, got off to an encouraging start at the event, finishing tied for 37th in the Junior Men’s Sabre class.

“I was really pleased with my performance,” said Swift, who returns to action in the Cadet Men’s Sabre event tomorrow. “I managed to get through the pools but then I was beaten in the first elimination.

“It was an amazing experience and I had a lot of fun with it. I knew it was going to be difficult because that class is for people up to the age of 21 and so my opponents were much older and a lot more experienced than I am.

“I knew it would be a great experience to learn from and be able to measure how far I’ve progressed. It was a great experience that I really enjoyed.”

While not a conventional sport that many young men would pursue, Swift is determined to continue progressing, having also reached the direct eliminations rounds of the Arnold Fencing Classic at the Ohio Expo Centre in Columbus, Ohio, in March in what was his first international competition.

“Like a lot of young boys I always thought swords and sword fighting was pretty cool,” he added. “I went a long to a summer camp and got interested in it. I always wanted to slash a sword around like you see in the movies and while fencing is not exactly that, it’s pretty similar. From there, it has just become my passion.

“I’d love to keep going in the sport, compete at college level and one day be able to challenge for medals at international level.”

Swift also took the opportunity praise the guidance of his team-mates, who have also been in action in the Veteran Men’s Épée Individual Division in which Candiolo finished in 64th place and Treanor 84th.

“As the youngest member of the team, it has been great to for me to have those guys as team-mates,” he said. “They are all so much more experienced than I am and have just been fantastic with helping me and coaching.

“They’ve also done really well and had some amazing performances.”