National Fencing Competitions Decide SEA Games Qualifiers

Eleven past and present student-athletes have made the cut to represent Singapore at the Southeast Asian Games, slated to be held in May in Vietnam this year. They are past student-athletes – Amita Berthier, Chan Phu Xien, Jefferson Cheong Jia Hui, Lee Kar Moon and Nicole Wee Sher Tynn, and current student-athletes – Dan Wei Zuo, Cheung Kemei, Joel Chiu Ka Jyn, Matthew James Lim Quan Rong, Simon Lee Renjie and Si To Jian Tong. Out of the 11 fencers, 7 of them will be heading to the much-awaited SEA Games for the first time.

The 11 of them made it to the final list of qualifiers after taking into consideration four best scores obtained by the fencer in a series of competitions held from 2020 to 2022. Since November, fencers have been high on action at weekly fencing competitions.

Most recently, the Singapore Senior Challenge was held from 8 to 9 January 2022 and 28 January, and at the Singapore Junior Challenge took place from 16 to 17 January 2022. Singapore Sports School’s current-students clinched a total of 18 medals (5 gold, 8 silver, 5 bronze) at both competitions. Men's Sabre fencers won on all rungs of the podium at both competitions, with Chan Phu Xien and Dan Wei Zuo going head-to-head for the top position. Phu Xien who had an edge won gold medals, while Dan finished second at the back-to-back competitions.

Dan Wei Zuo, who made the qualification mark for the SEA Games, is delighted to make his debut at the SEA Games. The second-year Diploma in Business Studies (DBS) student-athlete shared, “I am so proud to be able to represent Singapore in Fencing. This has been one of my goals, and I am glad to have achieved it. Right now I wish to achieve gold for Singapore in the team event. By the next SEA Games, I hope to qualify for the individual event. I also want to participate and medal at other major Games such as the Asian Juniors and World Junior Championships.”

It was also an all-Sports School final in Men’s Epee between post-secondary student-athletes Si To Jian Tong and Simon Lee Renjie at the Senior Challenge, which ended with Jian Tong winning the top spot. Both of them are familiar with each other on and off the playing field. Both are second-year student-athletes in the Diploma in Business Studies (DBS) programme, and are often competitors for the top positions in Men’s Epee. Jian Tong shared, “Simon and I have fought for the gold medal many times for the last few local competitions. Competing for the first place again with him was exciting and fun. Although winning the gold medal is a common goal for us, I personally feel that going through the journey with him brings as much joy to me.” Both Jian Tong and Simon will be heading to Vietnam for the SEA Games.

The debutante at this year’s SEA Games shared, “SEA Games has always been one of my goals and making it this year makes me more motivated to push through the hard training sessions ahead. I want to win the gold medal for both the individual and team event at this SEA Games,” shared Jia Tong.

RESULTS

2022 Singapore Senior Challenge (Season 2021)

Men’s Epee
1st - Si To Jian Tong
2nd - Simon Lee Renjie

Men’s Foil
3rd - Joel Chiu Ka Jyn

Men’s Sabre
1st - Chan Phu Xien
2nd - Dan Wei Zuo
3rd - James Xuan-xin Ng

Women's Foil
1st - Cheung Kemei

Women’s Sabre
2nd: Juliet Heng Jie Min

2022 Singapore Junior Challenge (Season 2021)

Men’s Epee
2nd - Tim Shee Zhe Guang
3rd - Simon Lee Renjie

Women’s Epee
2nd - Filzah Hidayah Nor Anuar

Men’s Foil
2nd - Matthew James Lim Quan Rong

Women’s Foil
1st - Cheung Kemei
3rd - Anna Tay Wan Enn

Men’s Sabre
1st - Chan Phu Xien
2nd - Dan Wei Zuo
3rd - Isaac Ong Shao En

Women’s Sabre
2nd - Juliet Heng Jie Min