Ralph Johnson proved age is no barrier by winning the annual South East Men’s Epee Championships for the fifth time.

The 66-year-old, who trains with Tenterden Swords and lives in the town, admitted he was surprised by his success, beating another seasoned campaigner Tim Buzwell, from Wimbledon Fencing Club at the University of Kent in Canterbury.

Johnson won nine of his 10 matches to lift the trophy again, six years on from his last victory in 2009.

He said: “My surprise at winning was because I thought there were much younger people there who could beat me but there is no certainty in fencing. It’s a sport that gives you hope, however old you are. It was, as always, the luck of the draw.”

Johnson’s fencing career spans 52 years, and he boasts an impressive CV – a world best ranking of seven, competing in four Olympics, winning the World Epee Championships three times and the Kent Championships no less than 24 times.

Tenterden Swords welcome anybody who wants to try out the sport for the first time. They meet every Thursday evening at St Michael’s Village Hall in Grange Road.