Archway’s Dominic De Almeida bagged a gold medal in fencing at the 2017 School Games.

Team England’s De Almeida beat teammate Ed Howlett in the men’s foil final at the School Games National Finals at Loughborough University to take home the top prize.

The 18-year-old won the final bout 15-8 against Howlett and admitted he had to win it as it was his last chance.

“It’s my final year so I had to win the gold,” he said.

“Winning the gold medal is a good feeling and it’s a moment to be lived for so I’m over the moon.

“I’ve never fenced Ed, my teammate, so at the start I wanted to take it easy and see what he was doing and gradually I managed to get the gap bigger between us and then pressed on so he couldn’t close the gap.”

The Fortismere School pupil, who trains at Fighting Fit fencing club, added: “This is one of the best fencing halls in the country.”