Story and pictures by REDintern Shaun Neo.
Singapore Management University, Saturday, August 16, 2008 – Despite facing unfamiliar fencing opponents, Singapore’s national foil fencers Cheryl Wong, Serene Ser and Joan Ang still managed to claim top spots in the Asian Varsity Fencing Championships, finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.
In preparation for the upcoming competition, including the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championship 2008 in Korea at the end of September, the girls from the National Foil team participated in this competition, which featured fencers from around the region, to gain important exposure. Completing their poules successfully, the girls moved on to the direct elimination rounds.
Defeating her opponents from National University of Singapore and fellow national team-mate Joan Ang with scores of 15-9 in both matches, Cheryl Wong moves into the final to face yet another team-mate Serene Ser. On the other side of the draw, Serene had convincingly defeated her opponents with scores of 15-1 and 15-7. In the final, Cheryl started out strong to establish a lead that she managed to maintain until the end to win 15-8.
In the bronze medal match, Joan Ang faced off against a Hong Kong opponent in an intense and nail-biting exchange of blades. Despite reaching match point with a two-point lead, Joan was unable to finish off her opponent. Inching her way forward, her opponent managed to even the score at 14 points apiece. With the match at its crucial moment, Joan launches forth to score the final point as she out-manoeuvred her opponent to win 15-14.
Joan Ang takes a lunge at Maggie Teo from Singapore Management University. (Photo 4 © Shaun Neo/Red Sports)
Serene Ser scores a point against a Hong Kong fencer. (Photo 6 © Shaun Neo/Red Sports)
Joan Ang and the Hong Kong fencer engage in the exciting bronze medal match. (Photo 12 © Shaun Neo/Red Sports)
classic scream huh. haha.