A CORNISH fencer has return from retirement to win a national title and secure Veteran World Championships selection.

Becky Ragland of Truro Fencing Club competed at women’s foil in the British Veterans National competition earlier this month. Held at the Manchester Fencing Centre, this all category event for those 40 and over was the third and final ranking competition for selection for the World Veteran Championships in Bahrain this November.

Before the event, Becky sat sixth in the British Veterans national rankings. Over two rounds of poules with 10 fights, including wins over the current British veteran champion and world 60+ champion, she dropped only a single fight. Ranked second, and winning fights in the quarter and semifinals, she unexpectedly found herself in the final against long-time friend and old club mate, Marion Thomas.

Becky won the final 10-7 to take the first place, the cup and the National Veteran Women’s Foil Champion title along with best placed Category 2, (50-59 years) fencer.

Becky said: "The whole day was somewhat dream like. I was very focused and able to turn fights around when I made mistakes. I'm incredibly proud of my result and grateful for the support of my coach Rhys Melia at Truro Fencing Club and my family who have put up with my weekends away and miles on the road."

This result means that Becky has qualified for her first ever World Championships.

Back in the 2003-2004 season, Becky represented Great Britain, competing at five European Grand Prix tournaments. As well as this, Becky was known as the ‘Bude Bond girl’ following her stint as an extra in Die Another Day. Former co-owner of Big Blue Surf School in Bude, Becky returned from retirement in October 2024 after a 20 year gap in competitive individual fencing. Rhys Melia, former British National Men’s Foil Champion began coaching at Truro around the same time, and so a new partnership was formed.

After competing in as many south west competitions as possible, such as the Devon County Foil and the Westley Open, Becky felt ready for the Veterans’ national circuit. She competed at the Guildford International in January and the Nottingham age groups in March, improving her result each time.

“I’ve always been very competitive but I believed this year was too soon to qualify and was aiming for 2026,” explained Becky. “Fencing has changed quite a bit over the last two decades and I’m having to adapt to new timing and tactics. It’s not easy to overcome ingrained habits, but I’m getting there. Rhys challenges me so much but it’s working and worth the graft.”

When she isn’t fencing, Becky trains at basketball for fitness at Holsworthy, Bideford and Barnstaple, having returned to another sport she stopped competing in 29 years ago.

Becky is hoping that her success encourages people to return to a sport a love, or take up a new one in later life. She’s looking to open a metal fencing club in North Cornwall soon, after running a Little Musketeers franchise with plastic fencing last year.