Fencer known for her style and classical technique who won gold for
Britain at the 1956 OlympicsGillian Sheen, who has died aged 92, was the first and so far only Briton to win a fencing gold medal at the Olympics, which she took in Australia in the 1956 women’s individual foil competition. Given that Great Britain has been represented in fencing at every Games other than 1896 and 1904, her achievement stands in splendid isolation – a peak in a sport traditionally dominated by the French and Italians.
Sheen was a dental surgeon by day, and it was said that she worked up great power in her wrists through pulling teeth. But in fact she relied more on style than strength, and was known for her classical technique during an era that was beginning to witness a new brand of athleticism in the sport.