Susie Seddon-Cowell, 28, will compete at the Para Fencing European Championships in Cardiff next week, marking a milestone in a journey defined by resilience. She is one of 14 British athletes taking part in the first continental Paralympic qualification event ahead of the LA2028 Games.
From Edinburgh to the British team
The former University of Edinburgh student, who studied for a Masters in Palaeontology and Geobiology, helped establish a para fencing pathway in the Scottish capital alongside coach Alex McLeod. She first took up the sport in 2010 at Liverpool’s Dolphin Fencing Club, which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary, before moving to Bath to train with the British team.
Reflecting on her journey, Seddon-Cowell credited her early club for fostering her love of the sport. “Growing up at Dolphin really supported my development,” she said. “They instilled a real joy of the sport in me and were so supportive – it was a real kind of community feel.”
Overcoming barriers
McLeod, founder and coach at Dunedin Fencing Club in Scotland, praised Seddon-Cowell’s determination. “Susie was really the catalyst who got wheelchair fencing going in Edinburgh,” he said. “The lengths she went to and the feathers she ruffled to get the equipment we needed to train was scary, to be honest.”
“It was just sheer bloody persistence - Susie's got such incredible drive to do it and that's a really rare thing,” McLeod added. “It was really a privilege to spend that time learning together and see that work has come to fruition.”
Home soil competition
The event will take place at the Sport Wales National Centre, marking the first time the European Championships have been held in Cardiff. Seddon-Cowell joined the University of Bath-based Wheelchair Fencing World Class Programme in 2025, while pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. She has represented Britain at both World and European Championships since her debut four years ago.
Seddon-Cowell noted the growth of the domestic para fencing scene, saying, “When I got started it was very small, but domestically last year, we had over 20 athletes competing.” She added, “Having a major championships at home is awesome – we competed in Cardiff for a World Cup event in 2024 and it’s really special to have that home support.”
The Para Fencing European Championships will be held in Cardiff from 6th-11th October 2026, with athletes from across Europe competing in the first qualification event for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
