A teenager from High Wycombe took part in the British Cadets Championships in Nottingham recently despite needing emergency surgery a month before/

Dylan Ballard, 16, entered the British Cadets Championships in Fencing (Epee) but only four weeks before he had an emergency appendectomy at Wexham Park Hospital and it looked very unlikely he would be able to compete.

After a slow start, he won through four success direct eliminations to finish joint third out of 62 entrants, the best U17s in the UK.

He is the only fencer, outside of the British Olympic Fencing Team, to be sponsored by Wilkinson Sword.

Although Ballard represents Wales in the British team, he lives in the town and her recently set up a meeting with Wilkinson Sword UK director, Sarah Wood.

Mark, Dylan’s dad, said: “They have been hugely supportive, helping with the cost of new kit and some training.

“Dylan now has his eyes firmly set on the Commonwealth Games followed by the Olympic Games.”