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Sussex graduate competes at London 2012
Fencer Laurence Halsted during his time as a student at Sussex
A Sussex graduate said that he and his team mates had faced the "best fencers in the world" at the London 2012 Olympics, after Team GB lost to Italy in the quarter final of the Men's Team Foil competition yesterday (Sunday 5 August).
Laurence Halsted beat world number eight Valerio Aspromonte during the contest, but it wasn't enough for Team GB to reach the semi final. The result meant that Great Britain finished in 6th position.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Laurence said:
"It was almost exactly to plan. We just needed to be really close at the end - we knew we were not going to run away with it against the best in the world.
"To be in it at the end with a chance was definitely what we meant to do, but they had just a class finisher.
"We felt like we had a real shot at it being on home turf after winning the test event here and we came so close.
"I think we could have beaten anybody else and we showed we could have beaten them as well."
As a student, Laurence was part of the Students' Union's fencing team and received a Sussex sports bursary, which gave him a training fund, access to sports facilities free of charge, and dedicated support from sports staff.
While representing the University, Laurence won gold at the national student fencing competition in 2006 and bronze at the World Student Games in 2007.
Richard Mashiter, Students' Union Activities Officer, said: "It was exciting to see one of our former members competing at such a high level.
"I hope this inspires more students to try out one of our many sports clubs, whether they're complete beginners or Olympians."
If you're inspired to try fencing, find out more about the fencing club at www.sussexstudent.com/fencing and come along to meet them at the Freshers Fair in September.
You can find out more about all of the Students' Union's sports clubs at www.sussexstudent.com/sport
East Slope Bar are screening coverage from the Olympic and Paralympic Games over the coming weeks.
