Eddie Crofton-Martin’s success in the Modern Pentathlon Masters World Championships was a genuine team effort.

Crofton-Martin, from Ashford, took gold in Hungary last month but he was quick to praise those who helped make it happen.

The 49-year-old has a background in fencing, joining Tenterden Swords as a child in 1985.

His interest in modern pentathlon grew after he was invited to spar Republic of Ireland Olympian Arthur Lanigan O’Keefe before London 2012.

That meant adding to his fencing skills in the running, swimming, riding and shooting disciplines, winning silver at the World Championships in 2018 and gold at the 2023 British Championships.

He recovered from elbow surgery, a result of almost 40 years of fencing, to compete at this year’s Worlds, enjoying his best result to date.

But he couldn’t have done it without those around him.

“It’s how you perform on the day but I’ve got a very good bunch of people to train with and the better you train, the luckier you get,” said Crofton-Martin.

“The way I see medals, they are just the tip of the iceberg.

“One person stands on the podium but what no one sees is how much your friends and family and your coaches have helped put you there.

“I was having doubts a couple of weeks before the World Championships and beginning to second-guess myself whether I should go out there.

“My brother said to me, ‘You’re rubbing shoulders with the best people on the planet, go out there and do the best you can’, and my wife was pushing me, too.

“It’s the same with your coaches who put in so much work and give up their time.

“Although one person has the medal, it’s won by everyone else and I’m very much aware of that and just how fortunate I am to have that support network.

“Peter Huggins and Raymond Crawfurd have been with me since day one at Tenterden Swords, teaching me as a difficult child.

“For swimming, I train down at Hythe and I used to have a coach called Nick Davies.

“I work with Trevor Kay, Ailis Goddard and Adrian Beresford at Ashford & District Road Running Club.

“They’re the ones who’ve pushed and pushed and also Bill Bland at the North Kent Modern Pentathlon Club at Hoo. What he doesn’t know about shooting isn’t worth knowing.

“He took me from not being able to hit the target to making sure I get five bullseyes every time.”

Feeling under the weather, Crofton-Martin struggled with the swim section at the Worlds and while he continued to give his all, the result was a “personal worst”.

Victory in the fencing put him back into contention and he went on to take gold.

“All you can do is your best,” said Crofton-Martin.

“No one can ever do better than that.

“Always aim to do the best in everything you do and you won’t disappoint yourself.

“Even if you don’t come first, you’ll know you’ve done everything you’re capable of.

“When you do your best, that’s also the best reward you can give your coaches and everyone who’s helped you along the way because they’ve seen their efforts are worth something.”