BY WAYLON GALVEZ
Just like other athletes affected with the cancelation of Olympic Qualifying Tournaments due to Covid-19, the six Filipino fencers are finding ways to stay in shape in case the event pushes through to earn a spot in the Tokyo Olympics this year in Japan.
According to national fencing team coach Amat Canlas, organizers in South Korea have postponed the Asian Fencing Championship, which serves as the OQT for the region on April 15 to 22.
“For now it’s postponed in Korea,” said Canlas.
A total of six Filipino fencers, led by Southeast Asian Games gold medalist in women’s saber event Jalyn Nicanor, have made it to the national team that will aim for Olympic spot.
Nicanor will compete in the saber event in the OQT.
Also part of the national team are Chris Jester Concepcion in men’s saber, Hanniel Abella and Noelito Jose in women’s and men’s epee, Nathaniel Perez and Samantha Catantan in men’s and women’s foil events.
Concepcion and Abella earned silver medals in their respective events in the previous SEA Games, while Jose settled with a bronze medal. The 18-year-old Catantan is the reigning Asian under-23 champion.
Although the country is on a lockdown as the government is implementing an enhanced community quarantine to fight the spread of Covid-19, the six athletes are still training from their respective homes.
“Since all of us were asked to stay home and be safe, sa bahay na muna din sila nagte-training,” said Canlas. “Bawat isa binigyan namin ng kani-kaniyang programa para tuloy pa din ang training.”