Leicester University student Gaurav Gupta is aiming for glory at the 2012 Olympics.

The 18-year-old, who is a first-year economics student, has already achieved the No.1 spot in Indian fencing.

Following a gruelling final in the Indian men's senior foil championships in Salem, Southern India, Gupta is back in Leicester to continue his studies.

This year he was the runner-up in the Indian Championships and last year he won the title.

Gupta's family are originally from Uttar Pradesh, in Northern India, but he has lived in England all his life.

He began fencing when he was 12 years old, when he joined an after-school fencing club. Since then, he has excelled in a variety of competitions, reaching national and international levels.

He said: "I am happy about the success I'm having in my fencing, but think of this as a start and not the end.

"I want to further my skills to one day be an Olympian and to put India on the map in the fencing arena."

Gupta is an active member of the University of Leicester Fencing Club, and also travels to London each Wednesday to spend a day training with professional coaches.

Juggling his academic studies with fencing can be difficult, but his love of the sport spurs him on to work hard at both.

Colin Hide, director of sport at the University of Leicester, said: "The very qualities that will bring Gaurav an outstanding degree – hard work, dedication, tenacity and mental toughness – will bring him further success within world fencing.

"Success breeds success and a successful fencer will most often be a successful student because each discipline informs the other about how to become a winner.

"I wish Gaurav every success for 2012."