Nine PH Athletes Competing at World Fencing Championships in Italy
South East Asian Games (SEAG) silver medalist Samantha Kyle Catantan leads nine athletes to compete in the Junior and Cadets World Fencing Championships in Italy. The Philippines is among the 120 countries competing in the tournament which ends this Monday, April 9 at Catolica Center in Verona, Italy.
IMAGE from World Fencing Championships Website
“This is only our third time to join the tournament. Last year, we have (sic) six athletes and the team placed 32nd overall. This year, we have more entries and we look forward to improving our ranking,” said Head coach Rolando Canlas in an interview while waiting at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport lounge.
FENCING FOR THE COUNTRY. (L-R) Samuel Tranquilan, Jaime Viceo, coach Roland Canlas, Samantha Catantan and Maricar Matienzo pose for a group shot at the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday (April 3, 2018)./Photo courtesy of Roland Canlas
The team joining Catantan are Maxine Isabel Esteban, Maricar Matienzo, Sammuel Tranquilan, Jaime Viceo and Filipino-American Lance Tan (foil); Juan Miguel Bautista and Filipino-German Keona Carado (epee) and Daniel Britanico (saber). This tournament is part of the team’s long-term program and preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics starting with the Youth Olympic Games. This Verona tournament serves as a qualifying game for the Youth Olympic Games to be hosted by Buenos Aires, Argentina this October.
“The players for the Youth Olympic Games will be selected here in Italy. The slots are limited, there will only be three players from Asia. The qualifying for fencing is difficult, one has to pass through the eye of a needle. It would be the best of the best,” Canlas said.
Source: Philippine News Agency
