22 March 2024
Holly Peach, Year 9, looks to have a bright future in the sport of fencing, having claimed the 2023 WA State Champion in epee fencing in both the Under 13, and Under 15 divisions.
The epee is the largest and heaviest of the three weapons used in fencing, with all featuring at this year’s Summer Olympic Games, being held in Paris.
Holly Peach with her awards.
Holly attends Ashdale Secondary College, juggling six hours of training for the sport per week, with her studies.
Inspired by the Lindsay Lohan movie ‘The Parent Trap’, Holly took up the sport that the ‘twins’ showcased in the movie.
She told The West Australian newspaper that after she saw that scene, when she was 12 years old, she asked her parents if she could take up fencing. Since then, not only has she won the 2023 Under 13 and Under 15 WA State Championships, at just 13, she also represented WA at a national tournament in Sydney, in 2022.
“I am passionate about fencing,’ she said.
“It’s quite fun and builds teamwork, even though it’s a solo sport.”