RP FENCERS EYE GOLD IN ASIAN
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Pasig City, Nov. 17, 1998
- Two young Filipinos reached the semifinals of the men's individual cadet
foil event of the 5th Asian Youth Fencing Championships at the Philsports
Arena in Pasig City yesterday, giving them a chance to reach top honors
in the sport.
Almario Viscayno, one of the country's top junior fencers, defeated Mohssen Tavakoli of Iran, 15-10, in the quarterfinals to arrange a semifinal duel with Japan's Takuji Narao, who whipped Kim Sang Chul of Korea, 15-3.
Rolando Canlas, meanwhile, made short work of compatriot Patrick Catama, 15-3. Canlas was to face Takashi Kaskinuwa of Japan, 15-3 winner over Lee Hyuk of Korea, in the other semifinal match.
Final events were to be held late last night after simple opening ceremonies attended by officials of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Philippine Amateur Fencers Associaiton (PAFA) president Celso Dayrit welcomed the more than 150 participants from 11 countries, which included powerhouse teams from China, Japan, Korea and Kazakhstan.
Other teams entered were Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Chinese-Taipei, Thailand, Iran and Kuwait. The Philippines has the most number of entries with 45 fencers comprising nearly half of the PAFA training pool.
Meanwhile, the RP cadettes weren't as lucky as their male counterparts as nobody reached as far as the semifinals with only Wendy Mendoza and Karla Pasamba making the quarters.
Japan's Aya Wada drubbed Mendoza, 15-1, and was to meet Hong Kong's To-pui Yin, who beat Wichien Pinchuda of Thailand, 15-14.
The other women's cadet matches saw Wanami Ikeda of Japan beating Pasamba, 15-1 and Chisatu Sone of Japan scoring a 15-2 demolition of Huang Wan-yi of Chinese-Taipei.
Events in cadet boys and girls epee will be held today with the finals scheduled late in the afternoon.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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