RP fencers sweep four golds

Filipino fencers stayed on track in its title retention campaign in the ongoing Southeast Asian Fencing Federation championships after sweeping the first four gold medals staked Monday and Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Avelino "Bino" Victorino produced the gold medal that shone brightest when he upstaged reigning SEA Games epee champion Tria Perdia of Indonesia, 15-3, in men’s epee of the tournament staged at the Negara Stadium in the Malaysian capital.

Other gold medal winners for the Philippine team that is bound to regain the overall championship it won in 2000 with a 7-of-10 gold medal performance were Lorrie Bauzon in women’s epee, Lenny Reyes in women’s foil and Emerson Segui in men’s foil.

The federation has upped the number of gold medals at stake in the tournament to 12 following the inclusion of women’s team and individual epee.

"This is a good sign, and we are on track not only toward retaining the title here but also on our preparation for next year’s SEA Games," said Celso Dayrit, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee and former head of the Philippine Amateur Fencing Association.

Bauzon, daughter of former Philippine Sports commissioner Josie and ex-basketball star Orly, beat teammate Melly Joy Angeles, 8-6, in the gold medal play. Another Filipina, Lorraine San Diego, bagged the bronze medal.

Reyes topped her event after hacking out a 15-9 win over Indonesian Paulany Ratu. It was also San Diego who took the women’s foil bronze in the tournament participated in by six of the 10 SEA Games countries — Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

Segui completed the sweep of the first four golds staked in the tournament when he came out the winner in another all-Filipino finale in men’s foil. He defeated Rolando Canlas, 15-10.

The gold medal victories earned virtual slots for Victorino, Bauzon and Segui in the RP delegation to the Busan Asian Games in September. Their inclusion only needs the approval of the Asiad Task Force.

Reyes is already assured of a slot for Busan for her silver medal in the SEA Games also in Kuala Lumpur last September. Also assured of berths in the Asiad are Walbert Mendoza and Edmond Velez in men’s sabre, Richard Gomez in men’s epee and San Diego.