SINGAPORE — Behind fencer Amita Berthier’s easy-going and bubbly personality lies a fierce competitive streak that helped her become one of Singapore’s brightest young talents.

Only 12, she has raked up an impressive CV.

After finishing third in the women’s foil at the Singapore Cadet Championship and Selangor Youth Open earlier this year, Amita caused a stir at the Challenge Wratislavia in Wroclaw, Poland — one of the world’s most prestigious youth fencing meets — when she beat home favourite Weronika Wisoky 12-5 to claim the under-13 girls’ foil title.

She also claimed the girls’ under-15 foil title at the H2020 East Interzone Foil Minimes Championships in Besancon, France, overcoming Hams El Mohamady of the Ivry US club 10-4.

It may have been a whirlwind first three months to 2013, but Amita told TODAY her achievements were no coincidence. Said the Singapore Sports School student: “Initially, it was very difficult to cope between studies and fencing but after some time I got used to it. When it’s time to study, I focus on my work completely but when it’s time to fence, I focus on the sport completely.”

Much of her success is down to her coach Ralf Bissdorf, a 34-year veteran in the sport. The 42-year-old German — a silver medallist in the individual men’s foil at the 2000 Sydney Olympics — has coached Amita for the past three years.

“This girl can go very far,” he said. “I’ve seen quite a few fencers throughout my career and not many are as talented as her at this age-group. It’s very rare.

“It’s a constant process … but if she continues to develop at this rate, a lot of things are possible ... If we can do that, I don’t see why she doesn’t have the potential to achieve at the Asian and the world stage.”

Amita’s father Eric and mother G Uma Devi have been her pillar of support, including accompanying her to overseas competitions. Still, Amita concedes to being a bundle of nerves before each meet.

“I’ve always had a stomach ache before every competition … although one I start fencing it disappears,” she admits. “The night before, I prepare myself by doing some footwork in the room. The next morning it’s about motivating myself with a self-talk and a video — to tell me that I can always strive to do better and eventually do it.”

So far, Singapore’s only Olympian fencers are James Wong and Ronald Tan, who competed in the men’s individual foil and epee at the 1992 Barcelona Games. But Amita not only aims to compete at the Olympics, she wants to win Singapore’s first Olympic medal in fencing.

“If I do well in the next few years then I think I will turn professional. (For) now it’s about working hard and giving my best in all the competitions I go for,” she said.

“My target is to make it to the Olympics in 2020 and win a medal, but maybe a bronze first!”