Pinay Fencers Bag Bronze in Dubai Competition
The Philippine Women’s Fencing Team took home the bronze medal in the recently concluded Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships. The team was comprised of representatives Samantha Kyle Catantan, Maxine Isabel Esteban, Maricar Matienzo, and Anica Abaquin. The competition was held from Feb. 24 to March 4 at the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
It wasn’t an easy road for the Pinay fencers to get to third place and tie with Korea. After winning a close match against Australia in the elimination round 37-31, the team had to face off with a tough Hong Kong squad. Hong Kong asserted dominance in the early parts of the match, gaining a 7-point lead after the fifth round. But the Pinay fencers’ never-say-die attitude allowed them to slowly cut down the lead and eventually win 38-34 to advance to the semi-final round.
The semi-final round was against Japan.
Rio Azuma, Sera Azuma, Sumier Tsuji, and Yuka Ueno easily handled the semi-final match for Japan, giving the PHL Women’s Team a 45-16 loss. The Japanese fencers eventually won the championship, defeating Singapore 45-31.
“Overall, maganda po nilaro ng team natin. Malaki yun jump ng performance nila. Sa individual, natatalo tayo by 1 point 15-14 against mga powerhouse like Korea and even Hong Kong and Japan and other countries. Step by step, makakarating ang team sa podium basta tuluy-tuloy lang ang ginagawa namin program and continuous ang support ng government,” said Head Coach Rolando Canlas on Monday before boarding the plane going back to the Philippines at the Dubai International Airport.
Canlas added that the Dubai tournament is part of the team’s preparation for the Asian Games. He also mentioned that the PHL Women’s Team is scheduled to compete in the World Championships in Italy this April.
The Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships was organized by the UAE Fencing Federation and the Dubai Sports Council under the patronage of the President of the National Olympic Committee, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
via Philippine News Agency / Jean Malanum
