Philippine fencers kiss Tokyo goodbye

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino fencers have started looking at the 2024 Paris Olympics as the last of their aspirants bowed out in the Asia Oceania Olympic Qualifiers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last Monday.

Manila Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Jylyn Nicanor and Hanniel Abella and bronze medalist Nathaniel Perez fell one after the other to follow compatriots Samantha Catantan, Noelito Jose and CJ Concepcion to the exits.

Nicanor, a sabre specialist, got seeded into the quarterfinals but suffered a 12-15 setback to Hong Kong’s Lam Hin Wai to finish sixth overall.

Abella, a member of the SEAG-winning women’s epee team, crashed out in the Round of 16 after losing to Mongolia’s Amarzaya Batsaikhan, 3-15.

Perez failed to sustain his form in men’s foil after sweeping pool play and sustained a 9-15 defeat to Chen Chih Chieh of Chinese Taipei.

The trio suffered the same fate as first-day entries Catantan, Jose and Concepcion.

Catantan shared third place in women’s foil but fell short of the Tokyo Olympics berth.