Young fencer Talavera impresses in world junior/cadet meet mb.com.ph - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mb.com.ph Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Published March 16, 2021, 5:04 PM
In this file photo, Philippines’ Haniel Abella, left, and Singapore’s Abdul Rahman Kiria face off during the fencing individual epee finals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at World Trade Center last December. (MB File Photo)
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalists Jylyn Nicanor and Hanniel Abella expect the competition to be tougher in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) for Asia next month in Uzbekistan.
The two earned gold medals the hard way in the SEA Games two years ago here, although competing against some of the best in the region is a totally different story for the two lady fencers.
After more than a month of training in a bubble setting in Ormoc City, coach Amat Canlas of the national fencing team said he is satisfied with the progress of the five Filipino fencers preparing for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) scheduled next month.
Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez has set the tone for his training as he eyes a comeback in fencing, a sport that earned him a gold medal in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
But it is not intended to gain a spot with the squad that is preparing for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) and SEA Games this year.
Rather, the actor, well-known sportsman and public servant has plunged into his mission for a stint at the Asian Masters Fencing Championship.
“I’m looking at the Asian Masters this year,” said Gomez.
Gomez took the gold mint with the epee men’s team during the 2005 biennial meet the country hosted.
Published March 3, 2021, 6:53 PM
Ormoc City Mayor and Philippine Fencing Association President Richard Gomez together with the national fencing team (Photo from Amat Canlas)
Aside from the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) next month, the fencing national team is using the bubble training camp in Ormoc City to prepare for this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Five of the six Filipino fencers competing in the OQT are with 11 other athletes inside the bubble, and national team coach Amat Canlas said they are gearing up for the 31st biennial meet in Vietnam.
Canlas clarified that all 16, plus others who are training in Manila and in other countries will still need to join the tournament in June for the selection process of the national team for the SEA Games.