Dmitry Leus, a former fencing champion, believes that the sport could help to bring people together as well as help children through tough times and he will be testing out those ideas in Brixton.
Dmitry himself came from humble beginnings and social unrest, from a town far smaller than Brixton, but, he says, through grit, determination and perseverance he became an unlikely champion.
Imperium Investments, a company set up by Dmitry, wants to make the sport fun and accessible and to help everyone from kids looking to make a start all the way to those at competition level.
“Fencing can benefit people physically and mentally. It’s disciplined but, most of all, it can be fun,” he says. “I want to get more kids involved, kids from all walks of life, everyone is welcome.”
Imperium has donated to the British Fencing Charity so that three of Britain’s brightest stars can attend the under-23 European championships this year.
Later this year Imperium hopes to bring fencing to state schools across Lambeth and will be kicking off everything with an open day in Brixton.
“I believe that there is a future European, maybe even Olympic, champion in Brixton and I want to find them,” says Dmitry.
