Edinburgh based, Keith Cook, 30, was the pick of the bunch at this weekend’s satellite event in Amsterdam.  Along with team mates, James Davis, Marcus Mepstead and Alex Tofalides, he breezed through the poule stage winning all his fights.  Tofalides fell in the round of 16 but Cook, Davis and Mepstead were joined in the round of 8 by Rhys Melia.

Mepstead beat Janda (POL) 15-12 but lost out in the semi-finals on time to Borst (NED).  Cook overcame Melia 15-9 in the round of eight and then faced Massialas (USA) in the semi-final who had beaten Davis 15-6.  To this point none of Cook’s opponents had reached double figures but Massialas was ranked 16th in the World compared to Cook’s ranking of 114.  Whilst slightly closer Cook won 15-11 to set up a gold medal match with Borst.  The final fight was the toughest of the day for Cook but he overcame the home favourite 15-12 to take the title.  After winning Cook said: “I felt that I was very calm and in control the whole day.  Working with my coach Sean Walton, the East of Scottish Institute of Sport team and Scottish Fencing I was able to make this great result.  I would also like to thank BF for giving me the opportunity to fence at the Olympic Test Event.”

This win has cemented Cook’s place in the recently announced GBR Men’s Foil B-Team to take part in the Olympic Test Event (26th-27th November, ExCel Arena, Men’s Foil Individual and Men’s Foil Team).  He will be joined by James Davis, Marcus Mepstead and Husayn Rosowsky.  The GBR Men’s Foil A-team consists of Richard Kruse, Laurence Halstead, Ed Jefferies and Jamie Kenber.

Elsewhere, 21 year old, Gareth Thomas continued to impress by taking the silver medal at the Men’s Epee satellite event in Aarhus.  He lost 11-10 in the priority minute to Kirschen (GER).