RP fencers blow away medal bid in Asian tilt

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ Jaime Nicanor dropped a 13-14 decision to Korea’s Kim Yoon Ha to blow her medal chance in the Asian Cadet and Junior Fencing Championships at the Philsports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Nicanor, who downed Indian Athira Ramachandran, 15-9, in the round-of-16, was on her way to barging into the semis and ensuring RP with another bronze medal when she lost steam.

Kim, however, lost to compatriot Han Da Yea, 12-15, in the semis and the latter later bowed to Japanese Saori Nakano in the final in this event backed by Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping and organized by the Fencing Confederation of Asia and the Philippine Fencing Association.

Filipino-American Mia Howell, who was entered in the same event, also failed to make it past the round-of-16, losing to Singapore’s Wong Ye Ying Liane, 7-15.

Hong Kong’s Low Ho Tin, meanwhile, turned back Korea’s Lee Yun Hoi, 15-14, to reign supreme in the junior men’s individual saber in this 10-day meet concluding today.

Low had a relatively easier time in disposing of Kazakh Alexander Prikhodko, 15-8, and Japanese Arai Kohta, 15-7, before running into a game Lee in the finale.