Contributed by Ryan Quek

Jurong Sports and Recreation Centre, January 14-15, 2012 — 220 fencers took part in the 2012 Fencing Singapore Challenge. The strong turnout featured not only local fencers but participants from neighbouring countries Indonesia and Malaysia.

Fencing Singapore Challenge has traditionally been the first event to kick off the local fencing season in Singapore and is is organised by Fencing Singapore.

In the women’s foil event, the Singapore national fencers dominated proceedings by finishing in the top three positions.

Ruth Ng, the silver medallist last year, won gold this year.

“I’m very satisfied with my performance today and I’m glad I was able to start the year off right after a very disappointing performance in Indonesia last year,” said Ruth.

In the men’s epee category, last year’s defending champion, Lim Weiwen, failed to defend his title after losing to Singapore’s fifth-ranked fencer and eventual winner of the event, Wang Zhihua, in the semi-finals. Zhihua beat national number 2 Samson Lee, 15-8, in the final.

Similarly in the men’s sabre event, the top positions went to Singapore’s top sabre fencers, with national number 1, 18-year-old Meridian Junior College student, Clive Leu, clinching the gold medal.

Said Lin Qinghui, a Fencing Singapore executive committee member: “The strong performance of our national fencers is very encouraging as it is indicative of their consistency and augurs well in their preparation for other international competitions ahead. We’re very hopeful of a good year ahead.”

The final day of competition featured the women’s Sabre and Epee, and men’s Foil events. 2011 SEA Games bronze medallist Ann Melbye dominated the competition to successfully defend her title by beating 18-year-old Rania Rahardja in the final.

Said Ann: “I’m extremely pleased to defend my title as I have been putting in a lot of effort in my pre-season trainings. This also shows that I’m on the right track for the upcoming Olympic qualification competitions which I hope to do well in.”

In the men’s foil event, SEA Games representative, 21-year-old Tan Yuan Zi, overcame He Ziyang in a keenly-contested final to secure his very first gold medal at this event.

The women’s sabre gold medal went to 2nd year Singapore Management University student Ann Lee, who successfully retained her title by defeating national team mate, Felicia Yam, in the final.

FENCING SINGAPORE CHALLENGE 2012 RESULTS
Men’s Epee Individual
WANG Zhihua — gold
LEE Samson — silver
KHOO Willie — bronze
LIM Wei Wen — bronze

Men’s Sabre Individual
LEU Clive — gold
CHOY Yuyong — silver
NING Jun Xiang — bronze
CHUA Ernest — bronze

Women’s Foil Individual
NG Ruth Yi Lin — gold
WONG Cheryl Ye Han — silver
WONG Liane — bronze
WANG Wenying — bronze

Men’s Individual Foil
TAN Yuan Zi — gold
HE Ziyang — silver
ONG Justin — bronze
SAW Kyle — bronze

Women’s Individual Epee
MELBYE Ann — gold
RAHARDJA Rania — silver
LIM Cheryl — bronze
LIM Victoria — bronze

Women’s Individual Sabre
LEE Ann Huimin — gold
YAM Felicia — silver
TEO Charlotte — bronze
YEO Mei Li — bronze