- 13 August 2007
Sussex graduate takes fencing bronze at World Student Games
Medal winner: Laurence Halsted
University of Sussex psychology graduate and British Olympic hopeful Laurence Halsted has won a bronze medal at the World Student Games in Bangkok today (August 13).
Laurence, 23, took third place after finding his stride in the earlier heats, losing to eventual gold medallist Wu Hanxiong (China) in a closely-fought contest. The bronze is Britain's third medal in the games, in their first week.
After the competition, he said: "I was initially disappointed as I was close to fighting for gold, but I'm still happy to have won a medal - it's what the aim is when you come to a competition like this."
Laurence is ranked among the top five of Britain's fencers and is seen as a medal hope for both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics.
Laurence's parents both competed as fencers in two Olympics, and now their son hopes to follow in their footsteps. He says: "If I stay in the British team I'm hopeful I can qualify for the London games, but before that, of course I'll try my hardest to qualify for Beijing."
While at Sussex, where he studied Social Psychology and graduated in 2006, Laurence was awarded a Sussex Sports Bursary, which gave him a training fund, access to sports facilities free of charge and dedicated support from sports staff.
Luke Terrill, the University's sports development officer, administers the bursary scheme and was Laurence's sporting mentor. He says: "'I am really happy for Laurence. This is an excellent achievement for him and indicates the calibre of athletes who are now attracted to the University of Sussex. Let's hope he is as successful in Beijing."
Notes for editors
- For full details of Sussex sports bursaries, see: Sports Bursaries
- The 24th World Student Games run from August 8-18 in Bangkok. Great Britain has sent is largest ever squad to the Games, and Laurence Halsted is one of 14 British fences competing in the competition. Jean Petitjean, organised the first World Student Games in Paris in 1923 and the following year saw the birth of the international Confederation of Students (I.C.S.)and the launch of the world university sports movement. For up to date information on the World Student Games, see: Bangkok07
Press office contacts: Maggie Clune or Jacqui Bealing. Tel: 01273 678 888 or email press@sussex.ac.uk