Rising star Samantha Catantan and Southeast Asian (SEA) Games winner Jylyn Nicanor aim for a gold medal sweep in their respective events as the National Open Fencing Championship starts its third and final leg Saturday, July 10 at the Superdome in Ormoc City.
After winning the first two legs of the weeklong meet, Catantan and Nicanor are heavy favorites to top the third leg and secure their position as the No. 1 fencers in the foil and sabre events, respectively.
Nailing that top position is crucial for the two since this event organized by the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) serves as a qualifying tournament for the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Catantan, who now plays for Penn State University in the US NCAA, won against fellow national team member Maxine Esteban 15-8 in the first leg last Sunday, and 15-13 in the second leg last Thursday.
Nicanor, who won the gold medal in women’s individual sabre in the SEA Games 2019, dominated Queendenise Dalmacio of University of the East 15-4 in the first leg and 15-3 the second leg.
The two now carry 24 points each since gold medalists per leg get 12 points.
Under the tournament format, silver medalists also receive 10 points, bronze winners gain eight points, followed by the 5th to 6th with six points, 7th to 8th five points, 9th to 12th three points, 13th to 16th two points, and 17th to 32nd one point.
Also seeking their third gold medal are Nathaniel Perez and CJ Concepcion in men’s foil and sabre divisions.
Concepcion twice edged Donnie Arth Navarro for his first two gold medals, 15-13 in leg 1 and 15-11 in leg 2, while Perez defeated Samuel Tranquilan 13-8 in the first leg and Michael Nicanor 15-8 in the second leg.
The men’s and women’s epee had different winners in legs 1 and 2.
Noelito Jose Jr. pocketed the gold medal in men’s epee during leg 1 after beating Darllyy Joshua Lumahan 15-5, but he lost to Lee Eigran Ergina 15-10 in the second leg of the event supported by the City Government of Ormoc led by its mayor Richard Gomez – also the president of the PFA.
Jaymi De los Santos ruled leg 1 and Mickyle Bustos dominated leg 2 of women’s epee.