Jon Willis
Encyclopedia
Jon Willis is a professional fencer living in Stockport
, England
. In 2007, Jon became the first British fencer since 1981 to win a World Cup. He has plans to take part in the 2012 Olympics.
after meeting Bob Merry, a fencing coach who encouraged him to take up the sport. His father, a postman, was also keen on sport. Willis joined an after-school club, where he won a team foil competition. Following this he took part in three Under-15s competitions: he won two and came second in the other. At this point Willis still considered fencing to be "a bit of fun", although he continued it because of his height. He decided that épée was the weapon best suited to him and entered a North-West Under-16s event, which he won.
The first senior competition Willis took part in was the Merseyside Open, in which he reached the quarter-finals.
After this Willis approached Stockport Sword Club's head coach, Professor Andrew Vincent. Andy offered to coach Willis for free because Willis could not afford it. Willis has been training with Vincent for 13 years. when Willis moved to Germany he decided there were better coaches and opportunities now Willis fencing career has gone worse with him not winning Heidenheim this year and not doing well at the European senior championships in Sheffield. During this time he has gone through a variety of jobs, got a degree in mechanical engineering and obtained accountancy qualifications. He has won two Commonwealth Fencing Championship medals: a silver medal in 2002 and a bronze medal in 2006.
. where he received gold, therefore becoming the first British fencer to win a World Cup event since 1981, under the coaching of Vincent. He won his second World Cup in Kish Island, Iran in January 2010.
. Their backing allowed Willis to train almost full-time and to travel over-seas for competitions. He was contracted to work 12 hours a week but was given time-off for sporting events. Willis hopes to take part in the 2012 London Olympics. The British Olympic Pathway Programme dropped Willis from funding for 12 months in April 2009 for unknown reasons. However, Jon continued to compete on the World Cup circuit, self funding his way around the world with help from friends and family. Jon was put back on funding after making 3 World Cup finals including the win in Kish Island and a Silver medal at Sydney, in May 2009.
Stockport
Stockport is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on elevated ground southeast of Manchester city centre, at the point where the rivers Goyt and Tame join and create the River Mersey. Stockport is the largest settlement in the metropolitan borough of the same name...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. In 2007, Jon became the first British fencer since 1981 to win a World Cup. He has plans to take part in the 2012 Olympics.
Training
Willis began fencing at Hazel Grove High SchoolHazel Grove High School
Hazel Grove High School is located in Hazel Grove, a suburb of Greater Manchester, England.-General information:Hazel Grove High School's GCSE results are above England's national average. However, according to the schools league table it is ranked lower than other schools in the area...
after meeting Bob Merry, a fencing coach who encouraged him to take up the sport. His father, a postman, was also keen on sport. Willis joined an after-school club, where he won a team foil competition. Following this he took part in three Under-15s competitions: he won two and came second in the other. At this point Willis still considered fencing to be "a bit of fun", although he continued it because of his height. He decided that épée was the weapon best suited to him and entered a North-West Under-16s event, which he won.
The first senior competition Willis took part in was the Merseyside Open, in which he reached the quarter-finals.
After this Willis approached Stockport Sword Club's head coach, Professor Andrew Vincent. Andy offered to coach Willis for free because Willis could not afford it. Willis has been training with Vincent for 13 years. when Willis moved to Germany he decided there were better coaches and opportunities now Willis fencing career has gone worse with him not winning Heidenheim this year and not doing well at the European senior championships in Sheffield. During this time he has gone through a variety of jobs, got a degree in mechanical engineering and obtained accountancy qualifications. He has won two Commonwealth Fencing Championship medals: a silver medal in 2002 and a bronze medal in 2006.
Heidenheimer Pokal
In March 2007, Willis took part in a World Cup event in GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. where he received gold, therefore becoming the first British fencer to win a World Cup event since 1981, under the coaching of Vincent. He won his second World Cup in Kish Island, Iran in January 2010.
2012 Olympics
In 2007, Willis worked for and was sponsored by B&QB&Q
B&Q plc is a multinational DIY and home improvement retailer headquartered in Eastleigh, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1969 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kingfisher plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange....
. Their backing allowed Willis to train almost full-time and to travel over-seas for competitions. He was contracted to work 12 hours a week but was given time-off for sporting events. Willis hopes to take part in the 2012 London Olympics. The British Olympic Pathway Programme dropped Willis from funding for 12 months in April 2009 for unknown reasons. However, Jon continued to compete on the World Cup circuit, self funding his way around the world with help from friends and family. Jon was put back on funding after making 3 World Cup finals including the win in Kish Island and a Silver medal at Sydney, in May 2009.