RAF Coningsby fencing team captain cooks up storm at inter-service championships
The captain of an RAF fencing team is celebrating a successful run at the Inter-Service Fencing Championships.
Air Specialist Class 1 (AS1) Jay Kitchen, who is based at Coningsby, took up the sport three years ago while training at RAF Cosford, although he originally fancied his chances at another combat sport.
“I saw kendo first and thought it looked great, but there was no club there, then I spotted the fencing club,” he said.
“It's the speed - I love how fast-paced the game is. I'm always trying to be faster with my parry and riposte, and when I'm holding the sword, I know it's going to be fun.
“As you progress, it becomes more sophisticated and skilful, and I really enjoy that feeling of developing both physical and mental dexterity.”
The 21-year-old from Telford helped the RAF squad reach second place in their match against the Army, while placing inside the Top 10 for the sabre and foil disciplines, and a creditable twelfth with the épée.
Although he is still getting to grips with the finer details of the sport, AS1 Kitchen says its difficulty is the main draw.
"Precision and hand-eye coordination are probably the biggest challenges,” he added. “I'm quite agile, but you still need stamina to maintain that energy throughout.
“The most important part is precision - if you're accurate enough to hit someone on the wrist - it comes down to that level of precision and hand-eye coordination."
Jay follows in the footsteps of Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Winston Churchill, Neil Diamond and Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson onto the fencing piste, while continuing a family tradition in following his dad, uncle and sister into RAF aircraft engineering.
"It benefits the RAF very well because it requires fitness, focus, and determination,” Jay said. “It's a break from work that lets you come back refreshed.
“With any sport, your mood lifts that little bit more, and I'm able to give more of myself back to the RAF."