Foreign-trained fencers upbeat

JAKARTA – Fencing president and chef de mission Mayor Richard Gomez is pinning  his medal hopes on its fencers who underwent three-week training in Paris in their runup to the Asian Games.

The team also competed in the Trekanten International-Nordic Championships Foil 2018 at Valby Hallen in Denmark where Maxine Esteban, 17, finished second in the women’s under-20 individual foil.

Joining Esteban in the squad are Samantha Kyle Catantan, Wilhelmina Lozada, Justine Tinio and Esteban in women’s foil individual and team event; Brenan Louie, Nathaniel Perez and Michael Nicanor in men’s foil individual and team; and Hanniel Abella lone competitor for the women’s individual epee. Lozada is the best bet in men’s epee after Noelito Jose Jr. was injured while cross training.

The fencers also saw action in the Junior and Cadet World Championships in Italy in April, the 22nd Asian Championships in Thailand in June and at the 15th World Championships in China last month.

The country has been competing in the Asiad since 1974 but has not won any medal.