FENCER Ralph Johnson made a successful defence of his world title to again hit gold in the World Veterans championships in Tampa, Florida.

The Bethersden man was defending the epee title he won in the 50-59 age category when the Championships were held in Austria last year.

This year there were 34 fencers in his event representing 14 countries, including both the 2001 winner Lars Scharpff from Sweden and the redoubtable Volker Fischer from Germany, former world champion and Olympic and world team gold medallist.

Last year, Johnson’s opponent in the final was Fischer, whom he eventually overcame on the last hit in extra time after a nail-biting fight. This year it was Scharpff who met him in the final.

While not quite as heart-stopping a final as last year the hits steadily mounted on both sides towards the 10 required to win.

With only five seconds of the six-minute fight remaining Scharpff was caught by another stop-hit from Johnson who was leading 9-8 and the fight was over.

Thrilled and mightily relieved, Johnson had successfully defended his title to continue as world champion.

The victory comes hard on the heels of the Swords success in the international match against the Pallos Fencing Club from Utrecht held last month at the Tenterden Leisure Centre.