Mendoza shocks Sydney medalist

LISBON, Portugal – Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Walbert Mendoza of the Philippines made fencing history by beating Sydney Olympic silver medalist Wiradech Kothny of Germany, 15-10, in the second round in the sabre event of the ongoing world championships here.

With his victory, Mendoza joined two other Chinese fencers as the only three Asians to rank among the top 32 in the world. He also boosted his chances of qualifying for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Kothny, ranked seventh at the start of competition, has Thai parents but acquired German citizenship by adoption and played for Germany until the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He now plays for Thailand after regaining his Thai citizenship following his marriage to a Thai girl.

Three other Filipinos are competing here under the Solidarity program of the Philippine Olympic Committee. These are Lenita Reyes, Emerson Segui and Victorino Avelino Jr.

Before leaving for the Asian Games in Busan, these four will join the bulk of the national team that will train in China next month under the sponsorship of the Philippine Sports Commission.