Dimitri Coutya, who attended St Benedict’s School from 2009 to 2016, has won his first Paralympic Gold representing Great Britain, in wheelchair fencing in the men’s foil B category.
He defeated China’s two-time defending champion Feng Yanke, to secure top podium position for the first time following his 15-7 victory at this year’s Paris Paralympics.
Never having fenced before, Dimitri took up the sport when he first joined St Benedict’s at the age of 11. Here, the fencing programme enabled him to truly develop his natural skill and passion for the sport.
He was spotted by a GB Paralympic coach at the age of 13 when his sporting career really took off, winning Bronze in the 2011 UK School Games and subsequently taking part in BPA’s Paralympic Inspiration Programme during London 2012.
He then made his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 and collected team foil Silver and team épée Bronze in Tokyo 2021.
Speaking about his Olympic Gold win, Dimitri said:
'It has been something I have dedicated my life to, especially in the last few years. Although Tokyo was a brilliant result and I was really happy, considering where I’d come in Rio, I really wanted that Gold medal. There has been a lot of emotional turmoil that went into it, so for it to come to fruition, it’s not really sunk in yet.'
Headmaster, Joe Smith, commented:
'What an incredible achievement! We are all so proud of our former student, Dimitri. Hopefully, his success will inspire many able-bodied and less able-bodied individuals to take up the fantastic sport of fencing which is such a popular and thriving sport at St Benedict’s.'
Photo credit: St Benedict's School
