MANILA, Philippines — Humakot ang Pinoy fencers ng limang gintong medalya sa Allstar Hong Kong (U17) Fencing Championships 2023 na ginanap sa Kowloon Bay International Bay and Exhibition Center (KITEC) 1 sa Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Nanguna sa ratsada ng tropa sina cadet fencers Louis Shoemaker at Sophia Santiago na nakahirit ng ginto sa kani-kanyang events.
Pinataob ni Shoemaker si top seed Szeto Tsz Wang ng Hong Kong sa iskor na 15-7 sa finals para pagharian ang under-17 men’s individual foil.
“We couldn’t have done it without them, our coaches, especially coach Amat. From training to competitions, they’re always there for us helping us improve our game and be able to reach our goal like winning medals for the Philippines,” ani Shoemaker.
Wagi naman si Santiago matapos magtala ng 15-10 panalo sa kababayang si Simone Atilano sa under-17 women’s sabre finals.
“It feels great to finally win a gold medal because I’m about to end my Cadet (under-17) category, and I really wanted to end it on a winning note,” ani Santiago.
Nakaginto rin si Nicol Canlas sa under-12 women’s individual sabre nang igupo nito ang katropang si Elise Acuzar, 15-8, sa gold-medal match.
Namayagpag naman si Christine Morales sa under-10 women’s individual foil nang itarak nito ang 10-6 panalo kay Singaporean Natalie Lui sa finals.
Humirit din ng ginto si Aly Villacin sa under-8 mixed sabre bunsod ng panalo nito kay Thailand bet Chanathat Jirasinwanich, 10-6, sa finals.
May apat na pilak pa mula kina Sophie Catantan sa under-17 women’s foil, Yuri Canlas sa under-8 girls foil, Khiane Felipe sa under-17 boys sabre at Winslow Ang sa under-10 girls sabre.
Umani rin ang Pinoy fencers ng tanso mula kina Willa Galvez at Yuna Canlas sa under-12 women’s foil, Jada Divinagracia sa under-17 women’s foil, Elijah Timbol sa under-10 boys foil, James Lim sa under-17 men’s foil, Aki Villacin sa under-8 girls sabre, Winter Ang sa under-12 girls sabre, Maiev Boy sa under-17 women’s sabre at Justa Sandoval sa under-17 women’s epee.