RP fencers eye World Jr berths

MANILA, Philippines - The Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships got under way yesterday with over 500 competitors from 27 countries vying for top honors at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Mia Howell heads 42 other RP hopefuls in the event, which serves as a qualifier for the World Junior and Cadet Championships set from April 2 to 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijan tilt will then serve as the elims for the first World Youth Olympics in August in Singapore.

Howell won a silver medal in the Cadet Girls foil event in the same meet held two years ago in Kazakhstan.

She also copped a silver medal in the same event of a junior girls competition in Singapore last year.

“She’s (Howell) our best hope but our other fencers will sure give it their all for flag and country,” said RP fencing chief Celso Dayrit.

The event drew the participation of the best fencers in the region as well as in Oceania aged 20 years old and below with 96 medals staked in 24 events.

The 10-day meet is organized by the Philippine Fencing Association in coordination with the Fencing Confederation of Asia and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission headed by chairman Harry Angping.      – Joey Villar