The 25-year-old, who is originally from Aberdeen, is in just her second year of international competition but has risen to the top of the British rankings in her chosen weapon - the foil - and earned herself a place on the Olympic Pathway programme.

In April she travelled to Beijing to take part in a two-week training camp organised by fencing’s governing body the FIE, an experience that she says will stand her in good stead as she aims to make her mark on home soil in 2012.

"It was a real baptism of fire. Not only was I the only Briton there I was the only European. It was a real culture shock. I had to rely on one of the other girls to translate for me.

But while language was an obstacle for the Scot, she found the coaching and facilities in China made up for it. Coaching was more specifically tailored to the athlete’s individual strengths, in Bentley’s case making the most of her height – she stands just shy of 6 feet tall – and her long reach.

"It's absolutely phenomenal what they've built there and they're really proud of the chance to show China off to the rest of the world.

"The fencing centre is stunning. It covers three floors of a brand new building with one floor dedicated to each weapon."

While in China she was given the rare opportunity to compete in the Chinese National Championships, an experience which gave her insight into the strength in depth of the world's fastest growing sporting nation.

"There are several qualifying competitions just to get to the National Championships there. In Britain the whole thing lasts one day."

Despite making her home in London now, Bentley still has strong links to Scotland, where she was born and lived until she was seven. Her grandfather Chris Anderson was heavily involved with the running of Aberdeen Football Club in the glory days of Alex Ferguson.

As a valued member of the Scottish team she helped Scotland to a Commonwealth silver medal in the team event in 2006.

Having joined the Olympic Pathway Programme last year she is now training and competing full time.

With trips to compete in Cuba and Korea already under her belt in 2007, Bentley has just returned from the European Championships in Belgium where she beat two of the world’s top 16 fencers in her class on her way to a creditable finish.

And the Scot, who is currently studying sports psychology part-time at Brunel University, has been selected to represent Great Britain at the World University Games in Bangkok this month, adding to an already hectic schedule leading up to September's World Championships in St Petersburg, Russia.

Of joining the Olympic Pathway programme she says: "Life has completely changed. All of the support services are fantastic. I have now have access to physios, massage, psychologists, all under one roof.”

She also takes inspiration from athletes who have already broken through onto the international stage and regularly finds herself training against the likes of British triple jumper Philips Idowu and long jumper Jade Johnson in the gym.

But she does admit: “I’m looking forward to taking some time off after the World Championships.”

But she won’t have much time off. Next year spells even more travel for Anna as she tries to qualify for the Olympics and a return to Beijing, which she admits will be tough with tight quotas in place based on regional qualifying.

Her main aim is London and 2012 and at this point she casts her mind back to Beijing and the athletes she met there preparing for their moment in the spotlight.

"I could see that they were feeling pressure that is on them. I thought ‘That'll be us in a few years' time’."

AW

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