WINSLEY Olympian Sophie Williams thinks she gained all the experience she needed to nurture her sabre career from her abrupt appearance at London 2012 last week.

The 21-year-old was knocked out in her opening match at the ExCel on Wednesday last week by world number six Irena Vecchi, from Italy, but her selection to Team GB’s fencing squad was always intended to help give her the experience of appearing at an Olympic Games ahead of Rio 2016.

Williams, who has trained full-time in Truro for almost three years and will begin studying for a degree in Neuroscience at the University College London in September, admits that she was shellshocked by the pressure of her first Olympic match but wouldn’t trade in the unique experience of competing at London 2012 experience for anything.

“It was completely overwhelming and the noise in the arena was absolutely deafening – it was all a bit of a shock to the system,” said the Team GB star.

“I remember speaking to some people that said they hadn’t seen it so busy before the day we competed and well done to Vecchi because she dealt with the atmosphere much better and took advantage at the beginning. The fight just got away from me after that.

“It was always going to be a tough fight because she’s part of the team that won gold at last year’s European Championships.

“I don’t remember seeing anyone during the match but I met all my family and friends that had come to watch outside the arena afterwards and we all went out for dinner that night, which was lovely and cheered me up.

“It’s a shame but I went to London for experience and that’s exactly what I got. Some fencers go on until they’re 40 and I’m still very young in the sport at 21, so I’ve got a lot ahead of me.

“I’ll make up for it Rio – four years is a long time.”

Williams is will be staying at the Olympic Village until after Sunday’s closing ceremony and has made the most of the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the world’s biggest sportsmen and women, as well as a touch of royalty.

She added: “We got the chance to meet Prince Charles, William and Kate in the village and that was really nice because they wished us all good luck.

“Then I’ve spotted a few other big names walking around like Usain Bolt, (Novak) Djokovic and the Williams sisters (Venus and Serena).

“I think all the athletes should all have the same experience though, so I haven’t gone up to any of them to ask for a picture.

“I did get one with Chris Hoy at the opening ceremony though – that’s been my only exception.”