SINGAPORE — National fencer Amita Berthier has topped the world junior rankings in the women’s foil to become the first Singaporean to achieve the feat in the sport.

Her world No 1 junior ranking comes after her double gold-medal triumph in the individual and team event — also a first for a Singaporean team — at the Asian Junior Championships in the Jordanian capital of Amman last week.

This is the first time that any Singaporean fencer across all disciplines has reached the world No 1 ranking.

Amita, 18, had previously reached a career high of world No 3 during the 2017/2018 season before leapfrogging her rivals to clinch top spot after her victories in Jordan.

“I am elated and, at the same time, this is surreal,” said the fencer, who is studying at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, United States.

“It has been a long journey, lots of intense sparring, never a guarantee of victory.”

Amita’s 2019 season got off to a flying start after she claimed three medals at the International Fencing Federation Junior World Cups in Guatemala, Cuba and Italy, before she helped her university team to a victory at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships last month.

With a number of major competitions lined up for the year, the teenager is aiming to build on her success as she heads into the Junior World Championships in Poland next month.

She will also compete in the senior Asian Championships in Tokyo in June, the World Championships in Budapest from July 15 to 23 and the SEA Games in the Philippines in November.

“I definitely feel the pressure but I shall not let it dominate my mind. I want to remain excited about every competition and to continue doing my very best,” she said.

She has also set her sights on the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games in Tokyo and Paris respectively.

“Topping the world rankings tells me that if I set my mind to working hard and accepting the challenges, anything is possible. I want this experience to push me on when I hit the senior ranks in two years,” she said.

Mr Ralf Bissdorf, who coaches Amita, called the achievement a “milestone” in the young fencer’s career.

“This is an incredible achievement which many thought not possible. But she did it in her first year as a junior,” said Mr Bissdorf, 47, who won the men’s foil silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“It has been an exciting journey which is not yet over… The next goals are even harder to achieve and we’re aware there will be rising expectations. But we’re confident Amita can stay on track and stay focused.”

Mr Yau Wee Sian, Fencing Singapore's vice-president for high performance, said that the association was “absolutely elated” to see Amita top the world junior rankings.

“This is a historic achievement for a Singaporean fencer and it comes as no surprise that Amita is the one to carve out this new milestone for Singapore,” he said.

“She has in recent years consistently delivered good results on the regional and world stage, through cadet and now junior ranks. We congratulate Amita on this achievement, and also applaud the team behind her, namely her primary coach Ralf Bissdorf and her mum Uma.”