R.P. Fencers brace for series of Asian tournaments
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 20 Feb 2010
The Asian Juniors and Cadet Championships the country is hosting next month will form part of the national fencers? international exposure in the run up for this year?s Asian Games.
Newly-elected Philippine Fencing Association president Victor Africa yesterday announced during the SCOOP Sa Kamayan weekly session that the twin tournaments, set march 4-14 at the ULTRA in Pasig City, will also be one of the basis for the selection of the natiuonal team to the 16th edition of the Asian Games in November in Guangzhou, China.
?The Philippines is lucky for having been selected the venue of the twin competitions which is regarded as the future, not only the Philippine fencing but, likewise, that of Asia as the best fencers in the region aged 12-20 will be seeing action,? Africa, who succeeded long-time head Celso Dayrit as PFA top man, said during the forum sponsored by ACCEL.
Dayrit, a former Philippine Olympic Committee president, stepped down as PFA president last year upon his election as head of the Fencing Confederation of Asia, one two of international posts he presently held, the other being a member of the International Fencing Federation executive council.
More than 30 countries, according to Africa, has so far confirmed participation in the Asian level competitions.
The Philippines will be fielding in entries in both categories ? cadet, which is open for competitors aged 12-17, and junior, for fencers aged 17-20.
?We cannot promise results for our fencers except to say that members of both teams in the cadet and junior levels are ready to compete,? he said.
Outstanding performers in the twin tilts will be joining national team mainstays Wally Mendoza (saber), Emerson Segui (foil) and Harlene Orendain (epee), who have been seeded to the Asiad squad.
The three, Africa said, have been tagged by his association as the highly probable source of medals in their respective events in the 16th edition of the quadrennial conclave.
?Other tournaments our fencers will be competing in, depending on the availability of funds, are the Southeast Asian championships by middle of the year, the youth championships sin April and the world championships,? he disclosed.
Fencing in the country, the PFA head said, is booming as the sport has been made an integral part of the UAAP. Also in the works is its inclusion in the NCAA calendar, initially as a demonstration sports.
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