Goral (15), a German exchange pupil at Queen's High School, won the sabre at the national championships.
"It was a nice surprise. I didn't expect to achieve that," Lisa said.
It was a performance that impressed Otago coach Dave Barson.
"Lisa showed that she is dedicated and has experience in the sport," Barson said. "She displayed skilled footwork and agility and had confidence in her own ability.
"If she keeps up the work when she gets back home I'll be interested to see where she ends up."
Lisa has been fencing for only three years. Before she came to New Zealand she won the German Niedersachsen championships in the cadet and junior categories.
"When I get back home next year my target is to get the German title and go to the Olympics," she said.
Lisa has played rugby for eight years and is a member of the German women's academy for sevens, a sport that will be in the Olympics at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Most of her rugby was in boys teams until she reached the age of 14 when she had to confine herself to women's rugby.
While in Dunedin, she played in the forwards and was captain of the Queen's High School First XV. She was switched to wing when she played club rugby for the Pirates women's team that finished runner-up in the Dunedin competition.
"Rugby is different in Germany with most of the game played in the forwards," she said. "It is different in New Zealand with most of the game played in the backs."
Lisa has found New Zealand a more relaxing country than Germany, and has had more time to pursue different interests. She played the French horn in the Dunedin Youth Orchestra and is also a talented pianist.
FAST TRACK
Name: Lisa Goral (15).
School: Queen's High School.
Sport: Fencing.
Achievements: German provincial junior champion (2011); NZ senior women's sabre champion (2012); NZ Cup for women's sabre (2012).
