Archway teenager Dominic de Almeida claimed a memorable double with gold medal successes in two separate age groups at the national cadet championships.

The 17-year-old, who competes for Fighting Fit Fencing Club in Crouch End, triumphed in the Under-17 section before repeating that feat at Under-20 level the following day.

It was a second successive Under-17 victory for de Almeida, a member of the GB cadet squad, but the first time he had secured the national title in the higher age group as well.

His father, Luiz de Almeida, said: “We are so proud of our son – he has worked extremely hard and it has paid off. My only regret is that Dom is not a few years older.

“The Olympics is in my home country, Brazil, this summer and it would have been great for my family to see him, even though he would fence for Team GB!”

In the Under-17 preliminary rounds, de Almeida barely conceded a hit and he went on to record 15-4, 15-3 and 15-6 victories in the knockout rounds en route to the gold medal.

He was joined in the Under-20 category by Fighting Fit team-mate Kate Beardmore, who dominated her preliminary round, conceding only four hits in five matches.

Beardmore won her first two knockout contests 15-3 and 15-9 before facing the champion of the past three years in the semi-final – and it looked as if her run had come to an end when she trailed 14-12.

Yet the Fighting Fit fencer pulled off the comeback of the season with a series of annihilating attacks to triumph 15-14 and she went on to win the final, 15-11.

The club also fielded a group of fencers at the prestigious Marathon foil event in Paris, where Yasmin Campbell produced a superb performance to finish third in the Under-17 section.

Aidan Woolley, Sebastian Sacchi-Wilson, Emily Beardmore, Heloise Hardie, Rhiannon Hales – who won her first England cap – Theo McGlone, Oscar Lhoste and Edward Christophers also did themselves proud at the Paris tournament.

Club owner Jed Beardmore said: “Our guys did ever so well – they are all starting to look like international fencers and exceeded our expectations.”

Fighting Fit run classes for both children and adults at Mount Carmel RC College for Girls, Holland Walk, Duncombe Road, and anyone interested in giving the sport a try can call 07832 241 215 to book a free taster session, or visit www.FightingFitFencing.com for more details.