WORCESTER’S Alexander Lloyd says he is relishing the challenge of tackling a medical degree alongside his aspirations of carving out a successful career in fencing.

The Hallow foil fencer is continuing to make his mark in the sport having recently finished 25th at the Under 23 European Championships in Bulgaria, higher than his Great Britain team-mates, despite having a toe injury.

But, while his reputation grows as a future Olympian, the 20-year-old has refused to let his education fall by the wayside.

After completing a scholarship at Harrow School as lead fencer, Lloyd won a place at the University of Leicester where he will study medicine.

“After all these years of playing around with blades, I think I am destined to be a surgeon,” he said.

“Ultimately, my profession in medicine comes first but I would like to see how far I can take fencing and train as much as I can.

“Obviously, the dream would be to fence in the Olympics but World Championships and Europeans are every year and are just as important.

“Next season will be interesting when I’m in Leicester studying medicine but I am looking forward to balancing things.

“At the moment, it is all about the fencing, which can get repetitive, so when studying I think training and competing will come as a relief. I think I will enjoy it.”

The former Royal Grammar School Worcester The Grange pupil picked up a blade for the first time aged seven after being inspired by Peter Pan and Zorro.

After years of classical training by Worcester-based John Harding, he began working with Ziemek Wojciechowski, who is the senior men’s foil Olympic coach.

Lloyd has won the English Youth Championships at under 11s, under 13s and under 15s levels and came out on top in the prestigious Public Schools’ Fencing Championships in 2013.

Arguably his greatest achievements came at the Under 20s World Championship where he claimed a team bronze and at the Commonwealth Fencing Junior-Cadet Championships in South Africa where he clinched two golds.

Lloyd has also made an impression on the under 23s circuit and is confident of making the step up to the seniors next season.

“My next competition will be a senior World Cup in Cairo, so hopefully I will be selected for that,” said Lloyd, who lost a toe nail ahead of the Under 23 European Championships.

“I am in the top 10 in the senior rankings at the moment and because a lot of our guys are nearing the end of their careers, there will be places available, so hopefully I will be able to slot in.”