YOUNG fencer Olivia Barbieri has qualified for the British Youth Championships at Sheffield in May.

Olivia, 13 and from Rogiet, won a bronze medal in the Welsh Qualifiers at Sophia Gardens on Sunday to qualify for the first time.

The Caldicot School student took on a left-handed opponent but was delighted with the amount of points, and experience, she gained.

A left-handed opponent is difficult to fight because the sword comes from a totally different angle and direction but Olivia coped well and scored more points than she has ever gained against a left-hander.

“It was a great day, I learned a lot and I’m really happy,” Olivia said later.