Representing Great Britain, Dimitri Coutya, who attended St. Benedict's School from 2009 to 2016, has won his first Paralympic Gold in wheelchair fencing in the men's foil B category.

He defeated China's two-time defending champion Feng Yanke, to secure top podium position for the first time following his 15-7 victory at this year's Paris Paralympics.

Dimitri Coutya returns to St Benedict's to talk to pupils and staff (credit: St Benedict's School).

Never having fenced before, Dimitri took up the sport when he first joined St Benedict's at the age of 11.

St Benedict's say the fencing programme enabled him to "truly develop his natural skill and passion for the sport".

He was spotted by a GB Paralympic coach at the age of 13 when his sporting career really took off, winning Bronze in the 2011 UK School Games and subsequently taking part in BPA's Paralympic Inspiration Programme during London 2012.

Dimitri Coutya as a pupil at St Benedict's (credit: St Benedict's School).

He then made his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 and collected team foil Silver and team épée Bronze in Tokyo 2021.

Dimitri ended Paris 2024 with a Gold in foil and épée, Silver in team foil and Bronze in épée.

Reflecting on his first Paralympic Gold win, Dimitri said: "It has been something I have dedicated my life to, especially in the last few years.

"Although Tokyo was a brilliant result and I was really happy, considering where I'd come in Rio, I really wanted that Gold medal.

"There has been a lot of emotional turmoil that went into it, so for it to come to fruition, it's not really sunk in yet."

Dimitri Coutya in action during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (credit: imagecomms).

Headmaster, Joe Smith, commented, "What an incredible achievement! We are all so proud of our former student, Dimitri.

"Hopefully, his success will inspire many able-bodied and less able-bodied individuals to take up the fantastic sport of fencing which is such a popular and thriving sport at St Benedict's."

To find out more about fencing and sports at St Benedict's School, click here.