Contributed by Ryan Quek

singapore minime fencing championships

Tyler Reynolds (YMCA) celebrates his sudden-death 15-14 win over Jet Ng (Z Fencing) in the foil final. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Quek)

Jurong East Sports and Recreation Complex, Sunday, September 11, 2011 — National Cadet fencer Donna Lim, powered through the draw to emerge champion of the girls’ epee competition. The 14-year-old Raffles Girls’ School student dismissed her opponent, Nicole Aw from the School of Science and Technology, 15-6, in a repeat of the inter-school final earlier this year. Yvette Chow and Grace Tern were joint third.

The second and third day of the Singapore Minime Fencing Championships witnessed yet another bumper crowd. Over 250 young fencers competed in the Under-14 Epee, Sabre and Epee, individual and team categories. More than 200 fencers from the Under-10 and -12 age groups completed their events on Friday.

Pleased with her win, Donna said: “I’m very happy to have finally won after losing narrowly in last year’s semi-finals.”

National epee coach Zhao Zhizhong added: “Donna has been performing well in trainings so this win does not come as a surprise. Hopefully she can continue to work hard and challenge her seniors in the near future.”

For the Under-12 Boys sabre event, Choy Yu Yong from Hwa Chong High School overcame a strong challenge from Pasir Ris Crest student Leow Yuan Wei to emerge victorious with a 15-7 scoreline. Yu Yong, 14, started fencing less than 2 years ago and is also currently the National Schools C Division champion.

In the girls’ sabre final, Rachel Lam, 14, from CHIJ Toa Payoh, was in commanding form throughout the day and easily secured victory in the final against Jesslyn Chen from St Joseph’s Convent with a 15-7 score.

Nicole Wong, 14, from Z Fencing club ensured her first gold medal in this age group by beating Kuan Yu Ching from Hong Kong 15-10 in the girls’ foil final. Rachel Lam finished third.

The boys’ foil final featured Z fencing’s Jet Ng, 13, and YMCA’s Tyler Reynolds, 14, in an exciting matchup. The two were neck and neck throughout the bout but the more experienced Tyler snatched a 15-14 victory in sudden death.

In today’s team events, the girls’ foil event was won by Hong Kong’s Lifewide fencing while the team from CHIJ St Joseph’s Convent was crowned champions of the girls’ Sabre event by beating opponent Pasir Ris Crest Secondary in the finals.

In the girls’ epee, Chung Cheng High (Yishun) beat Z Fencing 38-36 in a tense final.

A keenly contested men’s foil event saw Z Fencing beat St Joseph’s Institution 45-40. Hong Kong took home the bronze by beating Malaysia 45-42 in the 3rd and 4th placing match.

Rounding off an exciting day, the boys’ sabre team event was won by Hwa Chong Institution when they comfortably beat Chung Cheng High School (Yishun) 45-26 in the finals.

The Singapore Minime Fencing Championships is into its ninth year and is one of the largest age group fencing competition in South East Asia. This competition is organised for the Under-12s, Under-14s, and for the first time this year, the Under-10s. More than 450 young talented fencers from Hong Kong, Malaysia, and hosts Singapore, competed in foil, epee and sabre as individuals and also teams.