Young Filipino fencers came up with impressive finishes in the recent Thailand Fencing Federation-Minime and Veteran Championships 2022 at the Zeer Rangsit Mall in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Filipino swordfighters, mostly from Club Canlas Fencing in Quezon City, collected a total of three golds, four silvers and three bronzes during the three-day meet.
Marcus Antonio Manuel claimed the lone gold in the men’s under-14 foil action after fending off Australian rival Sam Ek, 15-8, in the finals, under the supervision of former national coach Amatov Canlas.
Manuel reached the finals after he turned back Hafiz Rawther of Malaysia, 15-13, in the semifinals, and Panyabaramee Napasrapee of Thailand, 15-2, in the quarterfinals.
The second-seeded Jodie Tan led the medallists in the distaff side, after upsetting top seed Victoria Ebdane, 10-9, in an all-Filipino championship in the 12-under women’s foil.
Ebdane fought her way into the gold-medal round with a 10-2 demolition of Kitcharoenyuenyong Aim-Indra of Thailand, and a 10-3 trouncing of Evelyne Ji of India.
Tan barged into the finals after she disposed of Blade Club fencer Samantha Chua of Malaysia, 10-3.
Kiratipan Nettrinan of Thailand earlier ruled the women’s 14-under foil with a 15-9 beating of Ebdane, who earned two silvers.
Ashley Mae Harrison gave the Philippines its second gold medal in the women’s side with a 15-4 win over Bali Club fencer Olivia Sepulveda of Spain, 15-4.
Two silvers were also collected in the boys’ side, after Yohann Roldan Malik (Republic Fencing) lost to Sirimalairug Suphakorn, 1-8, in the 10-under men’s foil, and later went down to a 3-10 setback to Yuktavet Yannawut of Thailand, 3-10, in the 12-under men’s foil.
Overall, the Philippines placed third in the women’s side with its 2-2-3 gold-silver-bronze medal tally, and 1-2-0 total in the men’s division for fourth position.
Thailand emerged as overall champion in the men’s division with its 6-8-16 gold-silver bronze haul, with Malaysia behind at 3-1-5, and Singapore in third (2-1-2).
Thailand (6-7-18) also dominated the women’s action, with Singapore in second with its 4-1-2 finish.
