Staff and students at St Benedict’s School in Ealing have been filled with pride and joy as one of their former pupils, Dimitri Coutya, secured a gold medal for Britain in wheelchair fencing at the Paris Paralympics. Dimitri, who was a student at St. Benedict’s from 2009 to 2016, emerged victorious in the men’s foil B category.
Dimitri’s journey into the world of wheelchair fencing began when he joined St Benedict’s at the age of 11. The school’s fencing programme provided him with the platform to nurture his innate talent and love for the sport. It was during his time at the school that a GB Paralympic coach noticed his potential at the age of 13, marking the beginning of his remarkable sporting career.
Prior to his recent Paralympic success, Dimitri’s achievements included winning a bronze medal at the 2011 UK School Games and participating in the Paralympic Inspiration Programme during the London 2012 Games. His Paralympic debut took place at Rio 2016, where he clinched team foil silver and team épée bronze medals. His most recent triumph in Tokyo 2021 saw him adding to his collection of accolades.
Head of St Benedict’s School, Joe Smith, expressed his pride in Dimitri’s accomplishments, stating, “We are all so proud of Dimitri. Hopefully, his success will inspire many able-bodied and less able-bodied individuals to take up fencing, which is such a popular and thriving sport here.”
Dimitri’s return to his alma mater for a visit following his Paralympic victory was met with great excitement and admiration from the current students at St Benedict’s. His inspiring journey from a school student to a Paralympic gold medallist serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and passion in achieving one’s dreams.
As St Benedict’s continues to bask in the glory of Dimitri’s success, the school remains committed to nurturing and supporting the talents of all its students, encouraging them to pursue their passions and strive for excellence in their respective fields. The legacy of Dimitri Coutya serves as a shining example of what can be achieved with hard work, determination, and unwavering belief in oneself.
