FENCING: At 19 years of age, Sholto Douglas knows his best chance of Olympic glory is probably five years away, at Tokyo in 2020.

But that’s not going to stop the Australian fencer throwing everything at getting to Rio next year.

This weekend he’ll get a feel for where he is on the road to Rio, when he competes in the foil World Cup in Tokyo.

“If I were to make the Olympics, even if I am improving at my current rate, it’d be quite arrogant to seriously expect a medal,” Douglas said from Tokyo.

“So I’m aiming for Tokyo 2020 as my first true shot. But regardless, I want to make these Olympics to prove I’m at the level.”

Douglas has good reason to believe he can mix it with the top level. He’s done so already.

Earlier this year Douglas made the quarter finals of the Asian Championships, one of the toughest competitions in world fencing.

“It really showed me I can perform at the top level,” Douglas said.

“Previously I’d beaten opponents such as an Olympic silver medallist, but only in the shorter format.

“To beat exceptional opponents in 15-hit elimination rounds, where they can recover from surprise, is much harder.”

Douglas is one of seven Australians competing at this weekend’s World Cup.

“Both my confidence, and the Australian team’s, is high,” he said.

“I have a few teammates at the same level, who are just yet to prove themselves.

“Being realistic, medals are still a way off, but we know we’re on the right track.”

To get to the medal winning stage will take an enormous effort for any Australian fencer.

Unlike the top fencing nations of the world, Australia’s athletes are very much amateurs, and are likely to remain that way for some time.

It means squeezing in training sessions between university classes, or work commitments, and a lot of self-funding.

“Two things cripple Australian fencing, the fact that we aren't professional athletes like most competitors who train essentially full time, and have their travel and training expenses fully covered,” Douglas said.

“And it's hard to find strong opponents to improve against due to our geographic isolation.

“I can't help these, but I can ensure that I try and train harder and smarter in the time I do have. In the end, the fact that I love what I'm doing, whilst others treat it like a job, may end up making the difference.”

ROSS SOLLY FOR FENCING AUSTRALIA