Three-year-old inspires fencer to SEAG gold

HANOI, Vietnam (Via Globe Telecom)–A picture of his three-year-old child was pasted on the guard of his saber, a reminder he should win again the gold in the Southeast Asian Games.

It was not just a reminder. It was an inspiration.

"Inspirasyon ko ang anak ko, kaya inilalagay ko ang retrato niya rito," said 25-year-old Wally Mendoza, who retained his Southeast Asian Games crown in the saber event with a masterful conquest of Sydney double-bronze medalist Weeradich Kothny at the Cau Gay stadium in downtown Hanoi.

The name of the girl is Alexandra Dennisse, his only child, who was also the little force behind his magical win in the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

The gold was the second for the fancied fencing team following the gold medal win of Lenita Garcia Reyes in the individual foil event Wednesday night.

The road to the finals was not easy for Mendoza, who had to struggle past a Vietnamese Duong Van Cuong, 15-10, and a referee after he easily defeated Indonesia Olfi Rumuat, 15-12.

"Fighting the Vietnamese was the hardest part," said Mendoza. "Lamang na lamang ako, 8-3, pero ang referee pabor sa kanya."

He said he shifted from offensive to defensive tactics to minimize calls by the referee in favor of the Vietnamese in exchanges at close range.

"Noong nagkaroon ako ng eight points, I knew I would win," he said.

Mendoza also went into first match without warmup.

"Basta bigla na lang akong pinagsabihan na ako na ang lalaro," said Mendoza. "Mas matindi itong 2003 Games dahil matindi ang kalaban-iyong Vietnamese, the Sydney bronze medalist at ang referee."

The fencing team now has two gold medals against a silver, courtesy of Wilfredo Macario Vizcayno Jr. in the individual epee. — Gerry Carpio

The team of Roland Canlas, Ramil Endriano, Ruperto Endriano Jr. and Emerson Segui was competing in the team foil late in the afternoon.