Contributed by Ryan Quek

national schools fencing

300 junior fencers from 35 secondary schools are competing in all 6 weapon groups for individual medal honours as well as the overall division title. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Quek)

Clementi Sports Hall, Thursday, April 14, 2011 — Pasir Ris Crest Secondary clinched the top three placings in the Women’s Sabre category at the National Inter-School Fencing Championships to put themselves top of the leaderboard for the overall B Division title.

Close to 300 junior fencers from 35 secondary schools are competing in all 6 weapon groups for individual medal honours as well as the overall division title.

Charis Loke clinched the gold medal by narrowly beating teammate Denise Chng 15-14 in an exciting final. Hanan Adnan, also from Pasir Ris Crest, took third place by comfortably beating Hei Mern from Chung Cheng High (Yishun) 15-3.

Pasir Ris Crest teacher-in-charge Lim Qing Yi was understandly pleased with her charges.

”We are all very happy with the girls’ performances today and hope to keep this momentum going in the next few days,” said Qing Yi.

In the C Division Women’s Epee competition, Raffles Girls’ school saw two of their fencers secure top spots with National Junior fencer Donna Lim dismissing the 24-man field with ease, winning the final against teammate Grace Tern 15-4. Donna was also a member of the team that won the team bronze medal at the recent Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships in Bangkok.

Teammate Denise Tan also took gold in the C Division Women’s Sabre competition. In the B Division Women’s Epee final, Christabel Yong displayed composure under tremendous pressure when she beat Anastasia Karpova from St Margaret’s Secondary 12-11 in sudden death.

Li Yi Xin from Bukit Panjang Government High came in third.

In the Boys events, Chung Cheng High (Yishun) took top spots in the Men’s Epee B Division competition when Phua Helixman beat teammate Thien Yi Song 15-12 in the final. Daniel Yam from Pasir Ris Crest took third place by beating Goh Jia Wen from Hwa Chong Institution 15-14.

The B Division Men’s Foil final saw an exciting final between National Cadet Fencers Joshua Lim and Chan Wei Yu. Joshua, a secondary three student from Hwa Chong Institution, mounted relentless attacks at Wei Yu to eventually emerge champion with a 15-3 scoreline.

Joshua said:”I was able to execute all my moves at the right time and I feel this was crucial to my win against Wei Yu.”

The Men’s Epee C Division again saw Chung Cheng High (Yishun) secure gold when Samuel Lee beat Nigel Sim from Hwa Chong Institution 15-8. A relative new entrant to the fencing competition, the School of Science and Technology took bronze when fencer Christian Lim beat Wang Wei Shen from Pasir Ris Crest 15-6.

The B and C Division overall title winners will be decided on Friday, April 15th.