SINGAPORE – She may just be 16 years old – making her eligible to still compete in the cadet (Under-17) and junior (U-20) events at competitions. But national fencer Amita Berthier is already no stranger to taking on far more experienced opponents at a senior level.

Just last Tuesday (July 4), the prodigious foilist managed to win a fifth-placed medal at the USA Fencing National Championships in the women’s senior category.

In the process, Amita gave world No 5 Nicole Ross a huge scare during their quarter-final tie and even took a 10-9 lead at one stage. However, she eventually lost 15-11 to the former Olympian.

Amita’s achievement at the USA National Championships comes just three months after she secured a bronze at the World Cadet & Junior Fencing Championships, making her only the second Singaporean to win a medal at the world’s top youth fencing championships following Lau Ywen’s gold-medal win in the individual sabre cadet event last year.

Such encouraging displays are why Amita, despite her tender years, will be one to look out for at next month’s South-east Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Spex Scholar, who trains at the Marx Fencing Academy in Boston, in the US, is set to make her debut at the biennial Games this year, where she will compete in the individual foil event.

While fencing at the SEA Games will also be an Open (Senior) competition, the prospect of facing the best fencers from around the region does not faze Amita.

Instead, emboldened by her displays at the USA National Championships, Amita is “optimistic” of her chances of winning a SEA Games medal.

“My performances at the (USA National) Championships has definitely given me a huge confidence boost (for the SEA Games),” Amita, one of 12 Singaporean fencers who will feature at the Games, told TODAY.

“Yes, the SEA Games will be an open category, which means there’ll be many senior competitors as well, but I believe the level is not as high (as the USA National Championships).

“I’ll be under pressure for sure, especially as I’ll be making my debut in the competition, but I’m confident that I’ll be able to handle it.

“I’ve learnt that no matter who I face, if I give my best in every fight, anything is possible.

“So I’m really optimistic of achieving a good result at the SEA Games and hope I can win a medal for Singapore.”

But Amita’s coach Ralf Bissdorf has cautioned against putting too much expectations on his young charge.

“Let’s not forget, Amita is still only 16, and she’ll be competing against opponents who have much more experience than her at the SEA Games,” the German, a former Olympics silver medallist, explained.

“So I don’t think we should put the expectations so high… the goal for the SEA Games is to secure a podium finish, and the colour of the medal doesn’t matter to me for now.

“I also don’t think she should be considered among the favourites even though her recent performances at competitions have been good.

“It’s the first SEA Games for her, so let’s take things one step at a time.

“It doesn’t make sense to put additional pressure on her at this stage.”

Before the SEA Games however, Amita will turn her attention to the World Fencing Championships in Leipzig, Germany, which will be held from July 19 to 26.

With the world’s best fencers competing at the tournament, Amita is not expected to progress far, and the main goal for her there would be to improve her current world ranking of 137.

As such, Bissdorf has set Amita a modest goal of progressing past the pool stages.

And Amita says she is eager to compete in arguably her most prestigious tournament to date.

“The upcoming world championships will feature all the best fencers in the world including Olympic champions,” she said.

“My goal is to try and advance past the pool, which will help improve my world rankings.

“It’s going to be tough, but I’m looking forward to the competition to see what I can do against all these fencers.

“At the senior level, my opponents are usually more experienced and have more stamina, but skills-wise, I think I’m not that far-off from them, so hopefully I can spring another surprise in Germany.”