By WAYLON GALVEZ
Ready for an online fencing competition?
The local fencing clubs will try their luck when the Pan American Fencing Confederation hosts the inaugural AF Virtual Fencing Intercontinental Epee Cup set July 18 to 25.
Philippine team head coach Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr. said yesterday that they received an invitation from the CPE or the Pan-American Fencing Confederation to join the inaugural tournament.
“This is the first time that there will be a virtual or an online competition,” said Canlas. “In my years as an athlete and as a coach, I never thought of this happening because fencing is a combat sports.”
“But since we’re in this situation with COVID-19, I think this is a good way to continue the competition even via online. There are other sports that are doing online events so why not in fencing,” he added.
Since the tournament is free of charge, Canlas encourages Filipino epee fencers to join.
The event is open to men’s, women’s and junior category, with the age bracket ranging from fencers 14 years old to 20 years old, or those athletes born from 2000 to 2006.
Under the rules, the bout committee will monitor all movements in order to determine any abnormal situation, and the committee will have the final decision regarding this matter, which may lead to a possible disqualification.
Also in its competition guideline, the tournament urges participants to show the same respect since fair play and ‘fencing etiquette’ are part of fencing world even in virtual competition.
“Although now we still don’t have an idea how or what they’ll do, but since it’s virtual competition and wala ka namang kalaban, I think pagandahan ito ng porma, like in karate or taekwondo na meron silang ganung klaseng event,” said Canlas, who owns the Canlas Fencing Academy.
“In fencing, there are actions that you really have to do it right – hindi basta basta. Take for example the on guard position, or maybe how you do the lunge action and the fleche. Sa tingin ko ganun, pagandahan ng porma,” he said.
The coronavirus outbreak forced various organizers of different international tournaments to postpone events, including the Asian Championship in Korea where six Filipinos are set to join in this Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).
The event has been reset next year.
