Over 400 fencers start duel for Athens slots

More than 400 fencers from 23 countries will display their wares in the 2004 Sharp Asian fencing championships and the Asia/Oceania Olympic qualifying competitions which unwrap at 9 a.m. today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Eight men’s and women’s slots in three individual events – epee, sabre and foil – will be up for grabs in the Olympic qualifier today and tomorrow.

Action in the Sharp Asian tourney organized by the Philippine Amateur Fencers Association (PAFA) and sponsored by Sharp Phils. Inc. kicks off on April 21.

Defending champion China heads the Asian cast. Also seeing action are fencers from Korea, Australia, Brunei, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and host Philippines.

Among the fencers to watch are reigning world women’s epee junior champion Tan Li and Asian men’s foil titlist Zhang Lianglan of China, Asian Games men’s epee gold medalist Alexander Axenov and silver medalist Sergey Shabalin of Kazakhstan, two-time Southeast Asian Games men’s sabre gold medalist Siriroj Rathprasert and foil bet Nontapat Panchan of Thailand, Asian fencing medalist Tz Ki Chow and Chui Ling Yeung of Hong Kong and Sydney Olympian Joanna Halls of Australia.

Of course, top Filipino fencers Wally Mendoza, Emerson Segui, Veena Nuestro, Johanna Franquelli, Armand Bernal and Harleen Orendain will give their best as they seek Olympic slots starting with today’s men’s and women’s epee and women’s sabre events.

The Olympic qualifier for men’s and women’s foil and men’s sabre will be held tomorrow, according to POC and PAFA president Celso Dayrit.