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Daily reporter to fight for international sporting glory in Australia

A regional daily journalist is set to fight for sporting glory as she represents her country at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Australia.

Northern Echo Durham reporter Rachel Conner-Hill, pictured, has been selected for the Northern Ireland squad at the championships, which will be held from 23-28 November in Canberra.

Originally from a small village near Downpatrick, in County Down, Rachel began fencing as a teenager after being inspired by the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

She is now the current Northern Irish Open champion and have been representing Northern Ireland at various competitions for more than a decade, as well as Ireland in other internationals.

Rachel Conner-Hill

In a piece about her preparation for the championships, Rachel wrote: “It was actually modern pentathlon that caught my eye (the combination sport of fencing, cross country running, swimming, pistol shooting and show jumping) but it is fencing which has captured my attention for the last 15 years.

“Often referred to as a sporty version of chess, it’s almost as much a mental game as a physical one. One of the most tactical and technical sports around, it’s a constant learning curve and changes with every opponent you face.

“This is my second Commonwealth Fencing Championships, having competed in Scotland four years ago, so I’m hoping to improve on my middle-of-the-field result.

“But the Commonwealths aren’t known as the “friendly games” for nothing – so regardless of the result it will be a brilliant opportunity to fence and have fun with people from all over the world.”